Guard Mentalities

By James Broughton, Contributing writer to TeamArete.com and former Cowley County Community College Assistant Coach

I think every coach hopes or searches to land or recruit the perfect point guard like Magic Johnson or Oscar Robertson, but one of those players may never be seen again, especially during this modern era of Basketball, where if you found a player like those listed before, it would truly be “Old School “or a “throwback” from an era gone by. 

I like to give my players roles that I expect them to follow, and I have found out that not

only does that satisfy many needs of my team, but it also gives my individual players a

unspoken confidence in themselves, not to mention that sometimes this takes care of

some teaching points that were not needed to be taught. So here are some sayings and

quips, I use in developing my guards, after all, we all are your looking for a so called

coach on the floor or a quarterback for our team. I hope some of you can get some use

from these.

Key Points:

-          Play smart, play the game in your mind, before you play it on the floor.

-          Be a leader

-          Stay under control, if you lose yours, so will your team.

-          Whenever you can, always keep your dribble alive!

-          See the whole floor. A good point guard is always a play or 2 ahead.

-          Create scoring opportunities, get the ball to a teammate in their comfort zone. Learn their comfort zone in practices.

-          Be able to drive & dish, and drive & score!

-          Take good shots, it soon will rub off. If you take a bad one, teammates will assume it’s ok to.

-          A team’s attitude reflects its leadership.

-          Recognize and seize the chance to get momentum for your team.

-          The more capable you are at your position, the more confident you will be! And others will be in you!

-          When you see another team’s weakness, exploit it!

-          Limit your team’s mistakes, by limiting yours!

-          Be a twin, a partner, a buddy… Someone to be counted on.

-          You’re a thumb, but learn how to be a finger…strong and controlling, but you need fingers to work the whole hand.

-          Don’t point fingers, be prepared to take the blame, even if it’s not yours. Remember when you point your finger at someone else, there are three pointing back at you!

-          Stay confident, (be almost borderline cocky) because if you lose confidence in yourself, so will others.

-          Be able to create for yourself and teammates. You may have to if defenses key on you.

-          Use your teammates strengths to YOUR advantage - Screens, cuts, etc… These are also is learned in practice.

-          Two guards, learn to be a part-time point guard, it will come in handy! Be ready to cover for your point guard.

-          Play up to your strengths, and use your weaknesses to YOUR advantage!

-          On defense, remember the ball stops with you. Then you don’t have to listen to excuses.

-          “Be a Jack of all trades.”  Don’t be one-dimensional, learn to do a little of everything. (Shooter, Penetrator, Passer, Ballhandler)

-          Point Guards “Don’t be afraid to bark at your teammates”  and then throw them a bone!

-          Command and demand respect – Take it if you have to!