The Point Guard thread

[Sari]

Ok here's the deal, next year I wanna be a pg (point guard), so I wanna know, what are the stuff I should focus on and train on in the summer. And if you can all share your ideas and tips on playing the point, that way this can serve as future reference to anyone who also thougt about being a point guard. So yea wether it's drills, exercises, sites, hints or whatever please post it here ( Even some videos would be nice, wether it's instructional or just mixes of nice passes...it will all be appreciated). I'm hoping everyone will participate enough to the point where this can get stickied .

Thanks in advance....

[unknown101]

I think Point Guard is the hardest position ever, but at the same time It can be fairly easy with a lot of practice. Mad dribbling/passing skills, and spectacular awareness/Court Vision. Watch some PG videos like Steve Nash. I hope that helps, Good luck man.


Edit: I also have Better Basketball: Better dribbling if you want it pm me, Im still looking for passing. If you need that also pm me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCoVUEQvAto , Video of some of the best point guards in the NBA right now, take a look at it. When Steve Nash was in school, he would always dribble a tennis ball to school. This will help a lot.

[JMac32]

http://www.betterbasketball.com/ buy this vid and it'll help u aton at pg position. but u want to get reely good at passing and handling, work on 3's and floaters alot too.

[unknown101]

Jmac.... I got it and I will send it to who ever needs it..

[youngtricker]

Better Basketball really didn't do it for me... I think that I'm an exception though.

Anyway..

Everyone is obviously going to tell you court vision, awareness of your teammates, handles, shot, not too selfish, etc. Everyone told me that, as well, but I think it is really about playing and seeing how to apply all of that. I'll give some specific examples that, in themselves, won't make you a great PG, but they will help.

1) [Almost] Never start your dribble unnecessarily. If you can make a good pass without dribbling, do it. If you're open, shoot it. So many people I play with feel like they need to those one or two dribbles before passing or shooting, but it lets your defense recover. Dribbling twice will not show the defense that you have handles. There is no reason for it.

2) Never pick up your dribble unnecessarily. I am assuming that you're one of the smaller ones that you play with (because you're a pg) so as soon as you pick up your dribble without having a DEFINITE play to be made, you are in trouble, and will probably be benched if it happens. If you are already dribbling, keep on dribbling until you have a solid pass, a solid shot, or a solid drive. There is never ever any reason ever to pick up your dribble outside the 3 point line if you don't know what you are going to do next.

3) Play inside: This is really tough to explain over the internet. I am not talking about inside the paint, I am talking about inside your defenses personal space. As you dribble, become really small. Get very close to the defender while dribbling. See where he is going, keep very calm, and without busting out any crazy moves, just dribble toward the basket, or wherever you want to go. There is really no way to understand this over the internet. What helped me with this was werestling and ground fighting from the bottom.

4) Stay RELAXED. If you rush, you will make bad decisions 80% of the time (yes, I made up that statistic). Even if your body is rushing, you need to keep a cool head, know where you are, and react accordingly. If you are driving, don't take your two steps without knowing what you will do. If you want to shoot, keep calm, and wait until you get open. Keep calm. It will help almost every aspect of your game.

I'm going take care of something right now, but if you want me to continue rambling just post

[Sari]

Please continue rambling....

[JMac32]

ha ha ha... and uhh unknown if u hav betterbasketball wil u send it to me. i havnt used it but ive heard good coments about it.

[The Fess Disciple]

I'm not a guard, but I can give you short, to the point advice.

1. Take the leadership role. The point guard always has to do this. Be the captain of the offense and make sure your team is executing together.

2. Be a team player. You can dribble around, take some shots, but do not be a ballhog. Not only will this hurt your team on the floor, it will lower the morale of your teammates, and that's the last thing you want happening.

3. Hone your passing skills. The point guard has to be a very good passer. Do not telegraph (give away whwere your passing by looking at your target) your passes. Also, make smart passes, don't be always lobbing it to the guy on the other side of the key. Always know the location of your teammates and the defense. Court Awareness, this will prevent you from making silly little mistakes like passing to a defender or out of bounds. With good court vision, you can find teammates in open spots for easy baskets. This is the bread and butter of any great point guard, just look at Steve Nash and Jason Kidd. Good passing and teamwork is the name of the game.

4. Don't get down on yourself. It's easy to lose confidence when you are a point guard, because of all the weight on your shoulders and all the burden you put on yourself. But, if you make a bad play, just put that behind you. Dwelling on it will just further screw up your performance. If you have a bad game, forget about it, pick yourself up, and do better next time. Keep your head up.

5. Defense, Defense, Defense, you can NEVER forget about defense. It is probably the most important part of basketball, because you can't just go outscoring your opponent every game. It just doesn't work. As a point guard, you have to remember this. Don't just focus on offense, put some real effort in defense too, just as much as you do offense. In practice, focus on sticking to your man, stealing the ball, getting around picks, zone, man-to-man, blocking...practice all of it. It will help you become a better all-around player. Offense may be more glorious, but defense is just as important.

6. Never Give Up. Keep trying, trying, trying, and trying until you stop playing. NEVER LET UP.

Above all, keep practicing. Practice does make perfect. Good Luck to you in your role as a point guard. I'm sure you'll do fine, just keep these tips handy.

-Fess

[Sari]

thanks for the tips...if anyone has any others keep 'em comin'

[nighthunder14]

i play pg in my summer league every year.

remember that the pg role is about sharing the ball. try a drive.when the guys in the paint try to help, kick it out to ur teammate

dont be afraid to score here and there. but dont be a ball hog.

try crossovers to get the d going. even try a shammgod or something