how to be a basketball point guard

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  1BALLHANDLING SKILLS
  

  The point guard is responsible for handling the ball and getting the team into position to score. This involves a lot of dribbling, catching and passing. It is important that a point guard have strong skills with both hands--the goal is to have the ball be an extension of your hand.

  2

  PASSING SKILLS
  The offense functions based on good movement and good passing. The point guard must be able to deliver the ball to the open player. In order to do this, he/she must be able to make a variety of passes both from a stationary position and on the move. The end result is a delivered pass that puts your teammate in position to score or create a scoring oppportunity.

  
  3

  QUICKNESS
  The point guard must be able to display a fair level of quickness to get away from pressure and create opportunities. With a high gear available, he/she can use a wide range of speeds to keep the opponent off balance.

  4

  GOOD COURT VISION
  This is paramount to being an effective point guard. You have to be able to scan the court and see opportunities for penetration or passing. For some, this is a skill that comes easily--for others, extensive training is necessary. The very best point guards have played thousands of hours of basketball and are said to have a "feel" for the court.

  5

  SHOOTING SKILLS
  In most cases, the point guard is not looked upon to be a primary scorer. On the other hand, he/she must be a legitimate scoring threat in order to draw defenders in order to open up teammates. There is nothing harder to defend than a point guard that can penetrate and pass while also able to score effectively.

  6

  LEADERSHIP
  The point guard is a leader on the floor. He/she is typically calling the offensive/defensive sets and is glue that keeps the team together. The coach needs the point guard to be the "coach on the floor" and translate game conditions into team execution.

  7

  ONE-ON-ONE DEFENDER
  You are typically charged with guarding the point guard on the other team. If you can effectively take away what that point guard is trying to do, you can significantly slow done the opponents' offensive abilities. This includes stopping dribbling penetration, blocking passing lanes and causing turnovers.

  8

  UNSELFISH
  Understand that your role is to "Create Scoring Opportunities" for the team. In some cases it involves the point guard scoring the points--in most cases it involves creating opportunities for your teammates to score through your hard work. For example, you may dribble between two defenders and find your teammate open for a basket. You should want to bask in the glory of being an assist leader or "points creator."