How to be a point guard or attack leader

Video: 4 Tips To Become An ELITE Point Guard || Basketball Training

Content

Steps
Part 1 of 4: Exploring the Role
Part 2 of 4: Playing Attack
Part 3 of 4: Playing Defense
Part 4 of 4: Being a Team Leader
Tips
Warnings

Often referred to as the "attack leader" and compared to the quarterback in American football, point guard is one of the most important positions on the basketball court. Playing in this position requires high ball handling skills, good scoring ability and an excellent understanding of the team's strategy. Also, this multifunctional position allows you to play a key role in breakthroughs to the ring of the opposing team. Point guard is a difficult but also the most prized position a basketball player can play.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Exploring the Role

1 Throwing the ball into the court. Considering the point guard's position at its most basic level, it can be said that the player is responsible for the movement of the ball around the court, in the possession of the team, and in directing the defensive players. What does it mean to pass the ball to your teammates to start the rally and, if possible, throw it into the ring yourself. Usually, the point guard takes the ball when it crosses the edge of the field at the start of the attacking position. Basically, he tosses the ball into the box, and stays within the three-point area to guide the game.
- There are, of course, exceptions. For example, if the defense goes into tight pressure (that is, they cover every attacker even before they cross the middle of the field), the point guard may not find the freedom to pass. In this case, he will have to pass the ball to his teammate as soon as possible.
2 Keep the ball in the hands of the team. By pushing the ball further down the court, declarer usually continues dribbling until the combo starts.On the way to the ring, he is subjected to more and more powerful pressure from the defense. By the time he gets to the three-point mark, one person will already be patronizing him and further progress will become impossible without the threat of even more intense pressure. On reaching the ring, declarer must take all precautions to prevent the defense from tackling.
- Keep in mind that it is a bad idea to stop dribbling unnecessarily (for example, at the beginning of a rally). If declarer stops dribbling, then he will not be able to move on without announcing a penalty kick in his direction. Consequently, the defense will need to fear only his passes and throws, which greatly facilitates their work.
3 Pass to the revealed comrade. One of the main goals of a point guard is to pass to teammates who have a good chance of scoring. Basically, if declarer notices an open teammate at the rim or in the penalty area, then he must pass the ball to him for an unobstructed shot. A good point guard should have a lot of assists by the end of most games - a sign that he has given the ball to the right people to increase the score.
4 If you are open, then perform a jump or throw from under the hoop. While placing other players in good shooting positions is important to point guard, you shouldn't be lazy to score yourself. If declarer notices that all teammates are covered, but there is a position for their own throw, then it is better to take a jump shot or a throw from under the basket. If the defenders understand that neither one nor the other he can perform well, then they can leave him relatively open and concentrate on other players, making it difficult for the team as a whole to make an effective shot.
- Point guards with excellent three-point and jump shots are especially appreciated. With such abilities, he can score from almost any area near the ring, which will force the opposing team to field one person to take care of him. This will increase the point guard's team's chances of increasing the score.
5 Be prepared to return to defense after the throw. It doesn't matter if the ball hits the hoop after your team was thrown or not, the point guard needs to prepare to go defensively as soon as the ball is in the air. Unless he saw an open space and managed to make a throw from under the ring, which means that he is somewhere at the beginning of the penalty area or within the three-point line. This gives him an undeniable superiority in defense - because the point guard is farthest from the ring, he is the best player to build an early defense after the ball passes to the other team.
- Beware of counterattacks - if you see a defender rushing past you to the other ring immediately after putting the ball into play or after a rebound, then catch up with him! Perhaps you are the only one who is not guarded at the ring, that is, you are the only one who can keep the opposing team from getting easy points.

Part 2 of 4: Playing Attack

1 Stay within the perimeter of the box. Even though declarer may occasionally move towards the basket, more often than not, his default position will be at the top of the penalty area - usually near / in the three-point area. This gives him a good overview of the players on both teams, which is important for assists and team management. It also gives the declarer the easiest, direct route to the ring in case the defense misses it.
- Of course, you should not limit yourself to this zone. If the attacking play requires it, the point guard must play a versatile game in different parts of the court, including under the basket.
2 Guide other attackers to complete combinations. As mentioned in the introduction, point guard acts as a kind of “leader” of the attack.Since he starts combos and stays within the box, he is in a better position to instruct the team to complete the combos than anyone else. Among the first numbers, the practice of using verbal commands, hand signs and "code phrases" to guide the team's play is widespread. For example, in a certain rally, he can name the combination worked out by the team earlier or direct a friend to break through to the ring with a glance and a quick movement of his head.
- Point guard teams should always serve to create goal opportunities for their team. If he is not looking for open comrades to make a pass, then he tries to promote his players to open positions for an effective throw.
- To understand what a good declarer gives on the court, observe him in play. The next time you watch a basketball game, keep your eyes on the point guard. You should notice him constantly exploring the site, shouting orders and giving non-verbal directions to teammates. For example, it is common practice for point guards to ask one of the comrades to shield him and to gesture to the defender in front of him.
3 “Supply” teammates with short, effective passes. When the first number sees a player of his team having the opportunity to score, he tries to pass the ball to him as quickly as possible so that he can shoot the ball without missing his chance. For this reason, passing point guards should be as effective as possible. The first number must quickly and strongly pass the ball to teammates. You should not do a swing, as this will give the defenders of the opposing team information that they will now pass.
- In professional basketball, point guards sometimes pass without looking, from behind and perform complex deception moves for effect. However, until you learn these movements properly, do not rely on them while playing. Never attempt flamboyant or technical passes when a regular chest pass works just as well.
- Beware of passes into (or through) the crowd, even if the player you are sending the pass to is open. The more defenders are in the trajectory of your pass, the higher the chances of being intercepted.
4 Know when (and how) to throw. As mentioned above, a proven ability to score is a big bonus for declarer. If the defense thinks you have an opportunity to score, they will cover you, opening up other players to pass. The best way to be a threat to the ring is to score as much as possible. If the defense leaves you open, then punish them.
- Let's say, for example, that you gave the ball to a teammate, but it was quickly covered and he cannot shoot. If the defender, who was guarding you, follows the ball, then it will be better to return the ball to himself immediately, to execute the throw - there are chances that your teammate will ferry the ball to you faster than the defender of the opposing team will return to you. Note, however, that this requires you and your teammate to know what defending opponents is doing.
- If you are trying to shoot and there is a defender in front of you, the way to clear the throwing area is to throw fake. Just start your normal throwing movement, then suddenly stop it. Put the entire area of the steps into the platform, bend your knees, grab the ball with both hands and bring it to your nose, as if you are about to perform a throw. If executed successfully, the defender can jump up to block the shot, giving you the option to either run around it or time the shot by executing it at the very moment when the opponent touches the floor with his feet.
5 Keep track of your dribbling pace. Because number one holds the ball most of the time his team dribbles, he can control the "speed" of the game.If he is in no hurry to pick up the ball and shoot, then they say that he "slows down the game" or immediately accelerates around the court or passes to an open teammate to execute the throw, then he "speeds up the game." Both are reasonable choices under different circumstances of the game. Below are just a few examples of situations that can make you speed up / slow down your game:
- Your team is leading after a few successful breakthroughs, but your teammates look tired. If so, slow down the game, giving them a chance to catch their breath while you dribble. It may be better to wait longer, even if you don't score immediately.
- Your opponents are visibly tired. In this case, look for a gap in the defense for a fast attack, speeding up the game and easily score a few points - the defense will not have time to pick up the necessary speed, so use their fatigue as an advantage.
- You started a quick attack, but the opponents got to the box faster than you and are guarding the ring. In this case, do not dribble the ball into the crowd of defenders, but stay in the penalty area and wait for your teammates to catch up.

Part 3 of 4: Playing Defense

1 Stay in the box while guarding another point guard. As in the attack, the first number remains within the penalty area or at the three-point zone. This gives him a good guardian position as point guard of the opposing team, in fact playing the opposite role to the attack. This will allow you to put pressure on the first number of opponents, which is necessary to keep him from throwing or leading to the ring when he gets to your box.
- However, as with offense, there are many situations in which you should move from a standard position, depending on what the attacking team is doing. For example, if declarer gives the ball to his teammate and then moves to the basket, then you should follow him, blocking the easy path to the basket. In this case, there is the possibility that he wants to get the ball under the rim and shoot from under it, so stay between the basket and him.
2 Apply a strong protective circuit. It is a common saying that defense is 90% stamina and 10% skill, in other words, strategy is simpler, but strength is much more important. In order to be the most effective defensive player you can be, use your body wisely when guarding your opponent. Here are some basic tips for point guard:
- Bend down. Lowered shoulders and hips laid back when guarding an opposing player make it easier to react to his movements, especially if he is trying to sneak away.
- Keep your hands ready. Most defensive players raise at least one hand while their opponent is within throw distance of the basket in order to block shots. Many people also like to lower one hand to block passes and try to intercept the ball.
- Stay about arm's length from your opponent. If you go further, then he will be able to throw before you have time to block him. But if you are closer, then he will be able to bypass you.
- Move your legs faster. Take quick, short steps like a side referee in soccer. The faster you move your legs, the faster you will react to a change in the direction of your opponent's movement.
3 Follow the broadcasts. Since you are guarding the first number of the opposing team, you will have to keep track of a lot of passes. It is almost impossible to intercept all transmissions, and if you try, the enemy will quickly learn to deceive you and go to the ring. Instead, try to keep track of where all the offensive players are. This way, when you see the start of the pass, you can stand in front of your opponent to try to intercept the ball. The balance between blocking passes and targeting number one is shaky, so point guards who play well defensively are valued highly.
- Due to the position facing away from the ring, it is more difficult for the defensive first number to catch what is happening on the court than for the attacker. You can cast quick glances behind and around to see the position of the attacking team on the court, but keep your eyes on your main opponent as he will be able to open up enough to take the shot.
4 Prevent fast breakouts by the attacking team. As mentioned above, the first number is the only defender whose position allows him to defend the basket from the fast breaks of the opposing team. In this case, keep between the dribbler and the ring. Do not let him overtake you, as he will have a good opportunity to score. Be prepared to chase all the way to the rim - most fast breaks end up with an attempted throw from under the rim.
- Complicating the task of defense from a quick breakthrough "two" attacking players coming at you at once. In this case, serious jerks on one of the opponents should be avoided. In this case, he will give the ball to the second player, you will not have time to react and he will score. Try to be in front of both players, between them and the basket. Equal patronage of each will slow them down and give the rest of your team time to catch up. If one player stopped dribbling the ball, then be prepared to rush to the second and go for the rebound. If one of them has an easy throw, then be prepared to block.

Part 4 of 4: Being a Team Leader

1 Know and understand your coach's plan. Compared to other players, number one has a special relationship with the coach. The declarer is responsible for bringing the coaching “blanks” for the defense to the court, but must also know the general plan of the game and call combinations on the fly, if necessary. Therefore, the first number will need to know the offensive coaching scheme better than anyone else on the team (and must be able to follow the coach's instructions when he gives them during the game).
- In addition to all this, since the first number usually controls the ball at the very beginning of the game, it is his task to perform certain functions, such as setting a time-out. To know when to do this, declarer needs to consider both the coaching plan of the game and the circumstances of the match (especially at the end of the game, when time is running out and other common delay tactics).
2 Build communication with your teammates well. The first number, who does not know how to communicate with the team on the court, can be a big hindrance to the game. The point guard must be able to use his voice and body to guide the team to score opportunities, execute formations, and so on. A big part of building this kind of communication is continuous team practice, which will give each team member the knowledge of what signals to expect and how everyone communicates as players.
- The first number should talk to the team and agree on a system of signals, code words and other things, to keep the team's tactics on the court secret. For example, if a declarer raises his fist from the start of the penalty area, it could signal a small break past the three-point line and prepare for a pass.
3 Teach by example. Because of your unique position, your teammates (especially beginners) can take an example from you on the field. A good number one takes the game seriously, puts a lot of effort into practice, listens to the coach's advice and tries to improve the game beyond practice. It is also important to encourage teammates to do the same. By earning the respect of teammates through work and dedication, number one can improve team communication and create a valuable gaming team spirit.
4 Learn from the best NBA firsts. There is no shortage of good firsts in professional basketball, some of them eternal legends of the league, while others continue to play to this day.Seeing the dominance of these players on the court can be inspiring, rewarding and instructive for amateur point guards looking to improve their playing skills. Here are just a few of the NBA point guard who are considered some of the best to have ever played in the position:
- Isaiah Thomas
- Gary Peyton
- Magic Johnson
- Jason Kidd
- John Stockton

Tips

Be able to simulate! This is useful for the first numbers, when opponents are firmly defending and you fall onto the court.
Trainings, trainings, trainings.
Know the basics and rules of basketball before you step out on the court. For a refreshing memory, see How to Play Basketball.