THE FOLLOWING EIGHT SKILLS ARE ESSENTIAL:
1. Study and understand your teammates.
The point guard must know each of his teammates inside and out–know every role on the team and make it a priority to enhance each strength.
He also must know how to put each player into situations that will make him successful.
For example, a post player is instructed to post up on the blocks and not float out to the perimeter. His skills will impact the team most by playing around the basket. Roles are crucial to good teams and the point guard can solidify the team unit with good leadership skills.
2. Be the coach on the floor and in the locker room.
A good point guard embraces his coach’s philosophy of the game and instills it on the floor. Knowing what the coach wants and does not want is a rare trait among players.
For example, if a team’s philosophy is to shoot as many three-point shots as possible, the point guard has to get the ball into the shooter’s hands in the scoring areas.
If the style of play is to push the ball up the floor, the point guard has to organize the break, push it hard, and attack the defense. The term “coach on the floor” belongs to great point guards.
3. Earn the players trust.
For a team to follow a leader, it must believe that he would do anything for them. Not only must he play extremely hard, but also he must motivate his teammates to do the same. Without confidence in its floor general, a team is left vulnerable.
4. Set the tone in practice.
Your point guard must understand how a successful practice is run and what the goal of practice is. By serving as a model, he can set the pace for a good practice. Conversely, when a leader is not willing to give it his all, the team will suffer by having a bad practice.
5. Knowledge of each possible situation.
Understanding what to do in every situation is the duty of a great point guard. He must know who is in the game and how he can set them up.
Offensively, the game plan must be played out to perfection. Good shots, smart passes, and good screening a must that can be dictated by the point guard. They are responsible for knowing the time and score at all times, the importance of each possession, and control of the tempo. They have to be aware of what is taking place and what has to be accomplished on both ends of the floor.
A good test is to watch a leader take over a game at winning time. When a team is out of time-outs, the great players will take over and do whatever it takes to win.
6. Unselfishness.
Many coaches will interpret this to mean that the point guard should not look to score. Not true, especially if scoring is a strength of your point guard.
Unselfishness means that he will sacrifice his game to find better opportunities for teammates, and will always make others on the floor better because of his presence.
7. Defensive leadership.
A great assist to a teammate for a layup is great, but can’t match the impact of solid defensive play. Defense wins games and players who take a charge or force a turnover, help their team win.
It is more difficult to inspire teams to play defense at times. Players love offense and tolerate defense. But a great point guard can lead a team to take ownership of the defensive end of the floor.
8. Handle success and defeat in perspective.
Competition is a constant flow of highs and lows. Young players are often greatly affected by the outcome of games. By developing a solid point guard, you will provide your team with a peer who can keep them grounded.
Winning often breeds complacency in a team and a good point guard can keep success in perspective.
Conversely, a loss can be tough on a team. Good point guards are able to pick up the team with their toughness and work ethic. This characteristic is the foundation of all great point guards.
I’m trying my best. Really.
