Things You'll Need:
- Basketball
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Step 1
Work particularly hard on your dribbling and passing skills to become a point guard. Dribble any chance you get, whether you are sitting or simply walking down the street. Learn all of the plays your team uses and how to direct your teammates. As the primary ball handler, you run the offense and must make quick decisions based on the defense that you go against. Magic Johnson is often considered the greatest point guard in basketball history.
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Step 2
Work primarily on your shot for the shooting guard position. Practice shooting from everywhere on the court, paying particular attention to shots behind the three-point line and drives to the basket for layups. Work secondarily on your dribbling and passing skills as well. Although the point guard has primary responsibility for the ball, you are second. If he is heavily guarded or is having other trouble, the ball handling will fall to you. Michael Jordan is usually named as the game's best shooting guard.
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Step 3
Develop overall skills to play small forward. You have to be able to shoot from anywhere on the court, rebound, pass and often defend the best offensive player on the other team. Run sprints on a regular basis to get in the habit of moving quickly back and forth on the court. Learn to defend smaller players by keeping low with them and taller opponents by keeping your hands raised and moving. LeBron James is today's top small forward.
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Step 4
Build muscle mass and practice rebounding for the power forward position. You need to be strong to play defense against other muscular opponents and to get into position to grab rebounds. Practice rebounds by timing your jump so that you are reaching the ball at your highest point. Practice layups and other shots within about 10 feet from the basket. Many of your shots will be rebounds that you put back up. Tim Duncan is considered one of the game's greatest power forwards.
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Step 5
Practice anticipating shots so that you can block them and getting position near the basket for rebounds to play the center position. Although you can't make yourself taller, you can learn to set yourself in position to defend against bigger opponents and keep them from getting to the basket. Practice short shots, about two to eight feet from the basket, and keep your hands high to deter incoming passes. Shaquille O'Neal is one of the NBA's most famous centers.
