Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Point Guard Skill Development

Point Guard Skill Development is crucial to be an effective, consistent scorer, penetrator, and facilitator for your team/program.

Shooting

WARM UP SHOOTING DRILLS

(50) 2 Ball Regular Mikans
(50) 2 Ball Reverse Mikans
(50) Form Shooting with strong hand (w/ heavy ball if possible)
(50) Form Shooting with weak hand (w/ heavy ball if possible)
(50) Set lifts from middle of the key (w/ heavy ball if possible)
(50) Bradley drill w/ 5 jumps (w/ regular ball)
(50) Set lifts from free throw line (w/ regular ball)
(25) Rim finishes from opposite side of basket on each side (w/regular ball)
(25) Step thrus from opposite side of basket on each side (w/ regular ball)

1. Transition Shooting
for a point guard is important for proper spacing and execution for the team's primary and secondary break. The PG must be able to pull-up for the 3 point line and free throw line in a transition situation.
  • 10 pull-up threes from top of the key with right and left hand before pull-up
  • 10 pull-up threes from free throw line with right and left hand before pull-up
If the PG has the ability to knock down the 3 pointer and free throw line jumper in transition, it will allow him/her to penetrate the paint. Change of pace and speed is crucial to be an effective penetrator.
  • (10 with each hand) Attack the 3 point line; hesitate and change direction attack the elbow looking for pull-up jumper.
  • (10 with each hand) Attack the free throw line; hesitate and change direction attack the basket looking for a lay-up or driving hook shot.
2. 3 Point Shooting

The PG needs to have the ability to shoot the 3 point shoot efficiently in catch and shoot situations, as well as off the dribble. We will concentrate on 5 spots on the floor: both corners, both wings, and the point position at the top of the key.

  • CATCH AND SHOOT
  • Self-pass and shoot 15 shots from the right hand corner (FOCUS on proper footwork; left-right)
  • Self-pass and shoot 15 shots from the right wing (FOCUS on proper footwork; left-right)
  • Self-pass and shoot 15 shots from the point position (FOCUS on proper footwork; left-right)
  • Self-pass and shoot 15 shots from the left wing (FOCUS on proper footwork; left-right)
  • Self-pass and shoot 15 shots from the left hand corner (FOCUS on proper footwork; left-right)
  • OFF THE DRIBBLE
  • Start at hash on right side of the court, (alternate right and left hand dribble before pull-up) shoot 15 3's from the right wing off the dribble.
  • Start at half court, (alternate right and left hand dribble before pull-up) shoot 15 3's from the right wing off the dribble.
  • Start at hash on left side of the court, (alternate right and left hand dribble before pull-up) shoot 15 3's from the right wing off the dribble.
3. Mid-range Shooting for a point guard is crucial to their ability to score as well as create for their open teammates off dribble penetration. It is extremely important to have the ability to shoot off the dribble, as well as shooting runners/floaters off the dribble. We will set up a cone or chair at both wings and the point area.

  • RIGHT WING
  • Attack the cone and change direction (left to right) and pull-up jumper off the backboard (15) (FOCUS: on inside pivot, good balance, and hold follow through).
  • Attack the cone and change direction (right to left) and pull-up jumper at the elbow (15) (FOCUS: on inside pivot, good balance, and hold follow through).
  • Attack the cone and change direction (left to right) and shoot a runner of the backboard (15) (FOCUS: follow through on the floater as if you were giving a high five to the backboard).
  • Attack the cone and change direction (right to left) and shoot a runner of the backboard (15) (FOCUS: follow through on the floater as if you were giving a high five to the backboard).
  • POINT
  • Attack the cone and change direction (left to right) and pull-up jumper at the right elbow (15) (FOCUS: on inside pivot, good balance, and hold follow through).
  • Attack the cone and change direction (right to left) and pull-up jumper at the left elbow (15) (FOCUS: on inside pivot, good balance, and hold follow through).
  • LEFT WING
  • Attack the cone and change direction (right to left) and pull-up jumper off the backboard (15) (FOCUS: on inside pivot, good balance, and hold follow through).
  • Attack the cone and change direction (left to right) and pull-up jumper at the elbow (15) (FOCUS: on inside pivot, good balance, and hold follow through).
  • Attack the cone and change direction (right to left) and shoot a runner of the backboard (15) (FOCUS: follow through on the floater as if you were giving a high five to the backboard).
  • Attack the cone and change direction (left to right) and shoot a runner of the backboard (15) (FOCUS: follow through on the floater as if you were giving a high five to the backboard).

4. Around the Basket moves are important for the PG so they are able to get their shot off in traffic. We will focus on jump stops around the painted area so we can use step through moves and incorporate are Mikan shots from warm-up. We will work on around the basket moves starting from the wings with 4 cones in a shape of a diamond.

  • RIGHT WING (4 Cones)
  • Attack the first cone left to right, the second cone right to left, and the third cone left to right take 1 dribble and a jump stop just outside the block area. Once you pick up your dribble off your jumpstop, you will step through with your right foot and shoot a floater or hook shot over the front of the rim. (15) (FOCUS: change of directions at each cone low and quick, good balanced jump stop, and good step through)
  • Attack the first cone right to left, the second cone left to right, and the third cone right to left take 1 dribble and a jump stop inside the paint. Once you pick up your dribble off your jumpstop, you will step through with your left foot and shoot a floater or hook shot off the backboard. (15) (FOCUS: change of directions at each cone low and quick, good balanced jump stop, and good step through)
  • LEFT WING (4 Cones)
  • Attack the first cone left to right, the second cone right to left, and the third cone left to right take 1 dribble and a jump stop just inside the paint. Once you pick up your dribble off your jumpstop, you will step through with your right foot and shoot a floater or hook shot off the backboard. (15) (FOCUS: change of directions at each cone low and quick, good balanced jump stop, and good step through)
  • Attack the first cone right to left, the second cone left to right, and the third cone right to left take 1 dribble and a jump stop outside the block area. Once you pick up your dribble off your jumpstop, you will step through with your right foot and shoot a floater or hook shot over the front of the rim. (15) (FOCUS: change of directions at each cone low and quick, good balanced jump stop, and good step through)
NEXT BLOG: Shooting Guard Position


Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Point Guard Position

Next to starting quarterback for a football team, the point guard position is next most important/challenging position in team sports. There are so many crucial elements to the game that the point guard must analyze, understand, and operate.

The point guard must have an infectious attitude and demonstrate proper leadership at all times (practice, games, meetings, film, etc...). The leadership traits of the point guard translate through his/her work ethic; they must be the hardest worker on the team. The point guard brings everyone together, understands each other's differences, and makes the right decisions for the team, not the popular ones. He/she must also have an aggressive attitude because the point guard operates the offense, and is usually the one that sets the temperament of the defense.

Another important characteristic of the point guard is the ability to communicate with the coaches and players. A good point guard is an extension of the coaching staff, and should be able to discuss and understand strategies. In addition, the PG must understand the roles of each player on the team, and utilize each player's strengths in the context of the team. The point guard must be able to communicate (verbally and non-verbally) with the team; he/she unifies the team towards the team's goals.

In terms of offense, a good point guard can control the tempo/flow of the game that is dedicated by the coach's style of play. Tempo/flow is determined by the (1) team's strengths/weaknesses, (2) oppositions strengths/weaknesses, and (3) in-game situations. In-game situations are usually dictated by some of the following factors: personnel, score, time, and momentum.

A point guard must be able to operate in a half-court and full-court situation, and make the correct decisions. In basic terms, a good point guard puts their teammates in situations where they can succeed; they make their teammates better. As the quarterback of the team, all coaches want their PG to focus on three objectives: (1) manage the game, (2) take care of the ball, and (3) make the simple play. In order for an offense to run efficiently, the point guard must be able to (1) create his/her own shot and (2) create shot opportunities for his/her teammates. The point guard must also be able to execute and handle full-court pressure defense. He/she must embrace these types of situations with aggressiveness, confidence, and patience/poise. The point guard must understand how to attend full court man to man defenses, full court zone defenses, as well as run and jump defenses.

All long with understand all of these elements, the point guard must have the attitude of getting better each day. All point guards must have exceptional ball-handling, 1 on 1 moves, passing, conditioning, and shooting skills.

Bio of Mario Trutanic, Jr.

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Westlake Village, CA, United States

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