Things Every Guard Should KnowFEEDING THE POST
Pass away from the defense to post player's far hand. The pass should take him right into his shot.
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
A ten year study of 3,500 NCAA Division I games revealed
25% of all points scored in a basketball game are free throws.
35% of all points in the last five minutes of the game are free throws.
67% of all points in the last minute by the winning team are free throws.
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.