Success Tips for Point Guards- Lesson #4

Matching up on Defense- I'm sure you've heard this before. A point guard is an extension of his/ her coach on the basketball court. During substitutions and timeouts, new players on both teams may check in and out of the game. Too often, when I watch various high school and even college games, I see teams scoring easy points because there is confusion by the other team as to who is guarding who. These points can be the difference between a win or a loss in a close ball game. In my opinion, the point guard is responsible for communicating matchups to team mates. Everytime the team comes out of a timeout or the substitution horn sounds, the point guard should be paying close attention. In these times, point guards should be saying to team mates, "Match up!" or "Who you guarding?" or "New man, who's got him?" or "You got there, I got here!"
This tip may seem like a minor one, but to your coach and in helping your team win, this is VERY important. Follow this advice and make yourself both a better point guard and better ball player.

Success Tips for Point Guards- Lesson #3

Getting Back on Defense- As the point guard, when your team takes a shot on offense, you must get back on defense. When one of your team mates is shooting, you should be making a hard retreat towards the halfcourt line, unless your head coach tells you different. A point guard needs to be in position to stop or disrupt the other team as they come down in transition. Even on a made shot, unless told to do else by the coach, the point guard should be back directing traffic, letting team mates know who they are guarding and what defense the team is playing. The less easy baskets the opponent scores, the better chance your team has of winning!

Taking a Charge!!

There are numerous reasons to sacrifice your body for the good of the team and take a charge. Taking charges:

• Adds one more team foul to the opposing team leading to quicker penalty situations
• May give the other team's best player an additional foul, impacting his availability
• Can make players on the other team tentative to drive the ball to the basket
• Creates a turnover and makes one less opportunity for opponents to score
• Can give your team extra energy and an emotional boost........charges can be contagious!

Success Tips for Point Guards- Lesson #2

Feed your post players- If you want to get easy shots for your team and if you want your big guys to continue to set screens, play defense and rebound, then you have to learn how to feed the post. When your team mate has a defender on his/her back or side and you can clearly see thir jersey number, that is a great time to enter the ball inside. There are several ways to make passes inside including: Ball faking high and throwing a two- hand bounce pass to your team mates far hand or right to the middle of the body. I personally like a pass to the middle of the body when a defender is playing behind the post player, because if the defense goes for a steal it'll likely result in a foul with the defender reaching over the body. Also, practice controlled one hand bounce passes, sometimes bringing the second hand to the ball wastes time and can allow the defender to get his hands in a position to deflect the pass. This is a good pass to use when your team mate has his defender pinned for an easy score or when the defender is playing on the high side. If the post player is not open, reverse the ball to another tam mate who may have a better angle at pasing inside, or dribble away then quickly change directions back, where you may find that the defender is now in a more vulnerable position, allowing you to now enter the ball. Don't telegraph your passes! Know how and where the defense is playing the post up player, whether that be high side, behind, baseline or fronting. You will have to adjust how/if you enter the ball based on how the defense is playing your team mate. If the defense is fronting an inside player then you may have to execute a lob pass to get the ball inside for a bucket.

Success Tips for Point Guards- Lesson #1

1. Always know the time and score- You are an extension of your coach as the point guard on the floor. Play selection, shot selection, usage of timeouts and defensive strategies are all influenced by both the time and score. You should always know how much time is left on the play clock as well as the shot clock and be able to communicate this to your team mates during games. By knowing time and score, you can make proper decisions as to if your team needs to take a quick shot or if your team needs to run your offensive play through to run more seconds off the play clock.

Ball Handling Drill #1

This is a dribbling drill that is fairly uncomplicated, yet works your control of the ball and helps improve conditioning. With the ball in hand, the player starts at the corner of the baseline. The ball handler then dribbles full speed straight ahead with the strong hand to the half court line. Once the player hits half court, he/ she will dribble in a side ways manner(almost like a defensive slide) with the same hand to the far sideline. The dribbler will then dribble backwards under control to the same side baseline. Lastly, when the player hits the baseline, he/she will turn and dribble at full speed to the starting point. The key to this drill is to keep your head up at all times and go full speed when dribbling forward. Execute this drill with your strong hand several times then complete with your weak hand several times.

Offensive Explosion Camp 2008

Coach Ray Smith and Staff present ………….

OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION SUMMER BASKETBALL CAMP

Shooting
Passing
Dribbling
Detailed individual evaluations
Prizes and much more!

NCAA Camp Session (Boys 8-12): July 28th to August 1st, 9:00-11:30 a.m. Cost: $95

NBA Camp Session (Boys 13-17): July 28th to August 1st, 12:30- 3:00 p.m. Cost: $95

Camp will be held at the Rochester Sports Garden, 1460 East Henrietta Rd. Rochester, NY, 14623

For registration and more information call 427-2240
Get off of the couch and into the game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Meet Rahel Smith

Hello, my name is Rahel Smith and I currently work as a school counselor in Rochester, NY. In my spare time I train young athletes individually and in small groups to maximize their basketball abilities. I have enjoyed both playing and coaching this wonderful sport for over 15 years, while experiencing a great deal of personal and team success. I am highly passionate about helping youth become the best basketball player possible. On this blog I will share some tips, drills and strategies that will help you take your game to the Next Level.