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Tips

Things Every Guard Should Know

FEEDING THE POST

  • Pass away from the defense to post player's far hand. The pass should take him right into his shot.
  • In the NBA, it is very important to be able to pass the ball with only one hand. Bringing the second hand to the ball wastes valuable time delivering the ball.

 

ATTACKING YOUR DEFENDER

  • Read the defender's front foot to distinguish a vulnerable side.
  • Ball fake to freeze the defensive man.
  • Make him honor your first step/jab and attack his foot.
  • Push the first dribble out and extend the first step (cover ground).
  • Drive by the defender body-to-body to prevent him from recovering.

 

BALLHANDLING AND DECISION MAKING IN TRANSITION

  • Push the ball up the floor into scoring area every time (make or miss).
  • Determine if you have a numbers advantage in transition: 2 or less defenders back = Primary Break (immediate shot). 3 or more defenders back = Secondary Break

 

EXPLODE TO THE RIM

  • If you decide to take the ball to the basket, you must use only one dribble in the lane to get to the rim. Once you enter the paint you cover ground and explode to the rim.

(from Lenny Wilkins, NBA Hall of Fame Player and Coach)

 

Tips for Feeding the Post


  • Have confidence and coverage to feed the post.
  • Know how and where the defense is playing the post.- High side, behind, baseline or fronting
  • Know passing angles. - Take the ball away from the post defender
  • Look for the target hand. - Target hand can be high or low
  • "Fake a pass, make a pass." - Fake a pass before delivering the ball. - Don't telegraph the pass to the defense.
  • Read the helpside defense. - Don't put the post player into a bad situation. - Look for the skip pass versus sagging defenses.
  • Give the post player a second look. - Dribble away, then reverse dribble and feed the post on the second attempt.
  • Following a post feed, move to an open area. - Do not stand still, move after you pass the ball.