Basketball Guards

Advance the ball

The great point guards can advance the ball up the court from the defensive three point line to the attacking three point line with 2-3 dribbles while under control, and they always pass ahead when a teammate is open down the court who either has an open shot, or can create a numbers advantage from which the retreating defense cannot recover

Shoot the 3

The shooting guard has to be able to play excellent defense and create shots for himself in the halfcourt offense. He needs to be a weapon from long range as well. This is true because the better a shooting guard can shoot from behind the three point line, the more it forces defenses to step farther out on the court to guard him. This in turn allows the lane to be open to both penetration, and for the post players.

Tempo

Great point guards know their own team´s optimal tempo for both offense, defense, and in transition. They know when to speed the tempo up or slow it down.

Lead in practice

Great point guards get their teams prepared psychologically for practice and for games. They know which players need to be provoked to pick up intensity or concentration and which ones are excitable and need to be calmed.

Outlet pass

On the fast break they constantly find a way to get open on the outlet pass as far up the court as possible.

Keep your teamates involved

Great point guards know how to get their best scorers the ball on a consistent basis, but are always on the lookout for how to create high percentage scoring opportunities for offensive teammates in a lesser role. They are able to keep all of their teammates involved offensively which makes the attacking team more difficult to guard.

Make something from nothing

It is also imperative that the shooting guard be able to be a spot-up shooter—to be able to catch and shoot—as well as be able to create his own shot off the dribble.
The shooting guard is often called upon to get the team a quality shot when their offense has broken down. In other words, when a play has not worked, or the opposing team's defense has thrown a team out of sync, the shooting guard must step up and be able to create something out of nothing.

Pressure the ball

Great point guards keep constant pressure on a passer or dribbler forcing them off of their desired path of attack.

Talk on defense

Great point guards talk constantly on defense helping their teammates to recognize potentially dangerous points of attack by their opponent. They keep their focus throughout the course of a game, and pay attention to details at nearly all times.

Situations

Great point guards pay attention to situational advantages such as on the free throw line, during jump balls, or in the flow of the game. For example, when an attacking team has a penetrating guard with no one getting back for defensive balance, they know to attack hard and quick on the counter fast break.

Communicate

Great point guards quickly and clearly communicate play calls or changes both in the open court and on dead ball situations. They also have the ability to quickly organize a team after an offensive pattern breakdown.

Assists

Great point guards seldom turn the ball over due to pressure, and when they deliver a pass to a teammate it is to a point closest to the best position from which their teammate can score. Not occasionally, but virtually every single time.

See the floor

Great point guards always have their head up and maintain full court vision at all times. They do not see one opponent or blocks of 2 or 3, they see all 10 players on the court, and understand the relationship of each by positioning.

Team philosophy

Great point guards understand completely a coach´s (and therefore the team´s) playing philosophy from top to bottom and every ounce of energy and effort is put forth to execute that philosophy. I have seen good guards who are great physically who constantly break out of the team philosophy creating confusion over the team´s offensive and defensive goals. Great guards understand you cannot win if all the oarsmen are not rowing in the same direction.

In the Open Floor

In the open floor, the two-guard must be able to run the lanes effectively, and be able to — after receiving the ball in a fastbreak situation — take the ball to the basket and score.

What is a Shooting Guard

A "shooting guard" is generally just what you think it means: Someone whose primary job is to shoot the ball, either as a spot up shooter, catching and releasing, or coming off screens; someone who can spot up from either in close or three-point range, and someone who defends the other team´s off-guard.

Know your scorers

Great point guards know who can score on their team, how and where

Open Shot

Great point guards do not shoot every time they are open but can knock down the shot any time they are open.

Court Vision

Every time players get the ball they should square up and look down the court before initiating transition. Poor court vision results in forced passes, offensive fouls against an unseen defender, and inability to see open teammates who might more easily advance the ball up the court with more effective results. Only after the player looks ahead should they put the ball on the floor - and then only to advance the ball up the floor, drive to the basket, or improve a passing angle. Then when advancing the ball with a dribble, you must be able to dribble without thinking about dribbling or about the opponent who is guarding you. This will free you to see the court, ready to pass to a teammate who is open.

Defensive Position

Great point guards rarely get caught out of position in defensive transition and the best have the ability to buy time, and space to force the defense into a low percentage shot in the open court even with a superior numbers advantage. They may not stop the break every time, but if they stuff it half the time, they will save you 8 or 10 free points a game.

Stop dribble penetration

Great point guards can stop dribble penetration on defense

Many Tasks

Though they do not have the same responsibilities heaped upon them that point guards do, a talented two-guard is an integral part of a successful team, given that he is called upon to perform so many varying tasks on the floor.

Why Dribble?

Only after the player looks ahead should they put the ball on the floor - and then only to advance the ball up the floor, drive to the basket, or improve a passing angle. Then when advancing the ball with a dribble, you must be able to dribble without thinking about dribbling or about the opponent who is guarding you. This will free you to see the court, ready to pass to a teammate who is open.

Only after the player looks ahead should they put the ball on the floor - and then only to advance the ball up the floor, drive to the basket, or improve a passing angle. Then when advancing the ball with a dribble, you must be able to dribble without thinking about dribbling or about the opponent who is guarding you. This will free you to see the court, ready to pass to a teammate who is open.

Source from : www.basketball.lifetips.com