How to be a good point guard?

Point guard is a very special position on a basketball court. To me one of, if not the most important position in the game, especially today (check the best players in the NBA). But when I go play games on the court what I see is, the point guard is the shortest or the smallest player on the court. So all it takes, is to be the smallest player on the court and you will be a point guard? Or is there more to this position?

First of all, point guards are the leaders on the floor, coaches on the court. Some people know them as the one or the point. Furthermore, point guards are expected to lead the team on offense and defense. Though on defense centers do more of the heavy lifting. The game has evolved to a point where point guards score a lot more for their teams but overall a good point guard hasn't changed all that much over the years.

What does a good point guard do?

Control the offense

Point guards are expected to know all the play calls and use them at different times during the game. Their job is to make sure all the players on the team are in the right positions on offense. They are also in charge of distributing the ball. Making sure their teammates stay engaged on the court so they are more inspired to play defense throughout the game.

Control Tempo (momentum)

Their job is also to control the tempo of the game. In a way this means controlling momentum. Meaning, throughout the course of the game they have to pick when to go fast and when it’s better to slow down the offense so that they team can run different sets. They also have to choose times to give fancy passes or get an easy alley opp or layup for a teammate.

Connect with all teammates

Point guards have to know their team mates on and off the court. Of course this is something every player should be doing. But it’s more important for the point guard because a bond with your teammate means the game will be easier for everyone. Communication is the most important thing on the court and when you don't have that bond with teammates it becomes very challenging to lead the team. There will be egos to deal with and a lot of misunderstandings especially when winning time comes, 4th quarter. So to ensure everyone is on the same page while in the game there has to be some level of closeness between the point guards and the other players on the team. This creates an environment of trust.

Good Ball handlers

Point guards also have to be good to great ball handlers. A big part of a point guard’s job is to protect the ball. And to do that, you need to be a good ball handler. Your teammates have to be able to trust you to bring the ball up the floor and make plays for others. This doesn’t mean you need to have handles like Kyrie or Curry. It just means you can get the ball from one side of the court to the other without getting stripped. Also, you can run plays in the game with minimal to know turnovers. Sad thing is most point guards I have seen can really work on being better ball handlers but play like they are already good at taking care of the ball.

Have a shot

A good point guard should also have a respectable shot, both from mid-range and the 3 point area. Point guards are important to an offense but if their shot is not reliable then it will make it harder for everyone else on the court. A point guard should be able to shoot when open so their defender never gambles on defense. It creates more opportunities for other players to score. When you cannot shoot reliability your defender doesn’t have to stay too close to you which means they can help on passes to other players and go under screens because they don’t respect your shot.
Also, point guards need to have a very high basketball IQ. Things like:

•   Knowing how much time is left on the clock.
•   How many time out the team still has.
•   Know who has 3 or more fouls on them.
•   Know who hasn't touched the ball in a while
•  Also understand the scouting reports of other teams. Who shoots 3's, likes to drive in. etc.

Of course other players need to be mindful of this. But as a coach on the floor, its part of a point guard’s job to know these things as the game goes so it can be communicated to teammates that don’t know or have forgotten.

Good defenders

Point guards also have to be good defenders. A point guard that can't defend hurts his/her team’s chances of actually winning the game. A good point guard can put a lot of pressure on a defense. And when their defender cannot stay in front of them it means easy layups and dunks. Furthermore, wide open uncontested shots regularly. A point needs to try to stay in front of their man and be able to make them uncomfortable when they have the ball. They don't have to be a great defender but they have to understand angles and how to play great team defense. Basketball is all about using your individual strengths to benefit the team as much as possible.

Conclusion

Being a point guard might sound like a tough job because you do have to take care of everyone on the court. But if you are reading this you probably already have a good idea of what a point guard is and just love the position, like I do. Point guards have a lot of responsibilities but because of that they get to control the game as well. Work on your game to the point where your teammates trust you to lead them on the court because there is no feeling better than that.