How to be a better shooting guard in basketball

USA Basketball - 7 Habits of Successful Shooting Guards

Most parents hang kids' school papers on the refrigerator, but mine were different. Our fridge had some awful looking off-white, lined paper that had corners missing and had less ink on it now than most new paper.

It wasn't some "A" I got on a paper in school or a 100 percent on a spelling test, but rather a simple white-lined paper which hung from our refrigerator. What was on it were simple thoughts and principles that helped put me in the right mindset to be able to play with the minimalist of energy.

It paired down the game to a bare minimum with things like:

• Use both hands
• Change speed and change direction
• Pay attention to space

Recently, I read one of the most influential books I've ever touched: Stephen Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. The fascinating thing about this book is that it helps to guide you in finding what it is that is needed to make yourself happy, complete, and successful. It doesn't tell you to do X on day one and Y on day two. But what it does do is give you principles to help figure that out.

As I reflected back on 15-plus years of competing in basketball I couldn't help but think that a quick checklist (much like my father made for me) would be helpful. The beauty of this checklist is that you don't have to be a star to apply the principles. You don't have to run a motion offense or play man-to-man defense. The principles I outline below can be applied to any shooting guard regardless of height, speed, shooting ability, or athletic giftedness. Enjoy:

Know Where You're Best

As simple as it sounds, one of the biggest differences between high-level shooting guards and "good" shooting guards is often a difference of understanding. Good shooting guards take whatever the defense gives them. High-level shooting guards find ways to get the shots that they're best at. Put yourself in the positions on the court where you're most successful. If you like receiving the ball coming off of the left wing, find ways to set yourself up there more often.

Get Good at the Opposite

If you're great at going right, get great at going left. Love to shoot a pull-up? Get great at catching and shooting. For every move you have, you need a counterpart that complements the move. If you drive to your right effectively, add a pull-up to your game. You don't need lots of moves, you just need to be really good at a few moves.

If you have a good catch-and-shoot going right, make sure you have one going left. If you can drive to the basket, work on a pull-up. Oh, and did I mention these should be in your most effective positions on the court? Refer back to Habit 1.

Fast Food Theory

When you go into grab a quick meal at McDonalds you don't have the cashier guess what your order is do you? No, of course not! You tell them what you want. As a shooting guard you have to be the same way.

If you like the ball on the left wing, tell your point guard, tell your coach (who should already be aware of this) and tell your teammates. Don't make them guess where you want the ball, tell them. Make sure you're constantly communicating to your team on where you like the ball; what shots you prefer; what type of pass, etc. While they seem like little things, it's important to make the game as easy as possible for everyone, including yourself.

Master the Mid-Range

Lots of coaches these days tell kids to practice 3-point shots, free throws, and dribbling. Very few coaches (including some college coaches) remember to teach kids the art of the mid-range game (12-15 feet.). The mid-range game is the toughest to defend for a few reasons:

• Since very few players are good at using it offensively, rarely do they have to defend it anymore.
• Since there are a lot of shots and moves which can be used in that area, it makes it tough to know how close to defend someone.
• Defenders are taught to contest outside shots and stop lay-ups. Rarely is it mentioned what and how to stop pull-up jump shots and floaters.

If you can make open shots on the perimeter, have the threat of taking the ball to the basket, and then have the ability to pull-up in between both of those, you are nearly impossible to defend.

Learn How to Read Space

I tell basketball players I work with that they aren't open if they can't receive the ball. That means that just because you don't have someone within 10 feet of you doesn't mean you're open. In order to be open, learn to make yourself available to the basketball. That doesn't mean you have to be close to the basketball, but rather you have to have space to move into in order to receive the basketball.

Learning to read space takes practice (video demonstrations can be seen on TheUnguardables.com), but most importantly it takes an awareness. Pay attention to the movement during the game of basketball. In simple terms: people moving into space "takes" it, and people moving out of space "opens" it. Watch people and learn how to move into space after people make cuts, come off screens, and penetrate.

Learn to Score without Dribbling

If you want to be on the wings you need to learn how to score without having to put the ball on the deck. This includes reading screens and catching and shooting, but it also means that you must learn how to use jab steps, pivots, and ball/eye fakes. If you have to put the ball on the floor every time to create a shot you're going to be very ineffective on the wing. As soon as the help defense sees you dribble they are going to be ready to help. Learn to create your shots without dribbling and simply based off of how the defense plays you.

Simplify Your Shot

One of the best ways to become a more consistent (and quicker) shooter is by simplifying your shot. Make sure that every time you catch the ball you catch it in the shooting pocket with your arm angles already set (i.e. elbow bend already set). It also helps to learn the "bottom" position of your shot so that you aren't too high or too low when you're trying to get rid of the ball quickly.

I usually have people go to about a 1/2 squat and then adjust from there (bend your knees and lower as deep as you can go, now come back up about half way - this should be your hypothetical 1/2 squat). I always tell players that if you want to make more shots you should simplify what it is you're doing. The more "things" you have going on with your shot, the more that can go wrong; usually that equals inconsistency.

If you learn to master the above seven habits you will be one very efficient and effective shooting guard. You won't have any holes in your game (offensively at least), and you'll find that it's a whole lot easier to dominate a game than you actually think.

Start by trying to implement one habit at a time; don't worry about bringing the next habit in until you make sure you can do the first habit without having to think about it. Once the habit is "habit," you can move on to the next one. By the time you finish implementing all seven habits your game will be at the next level!

USA Basketball - The Ultimate Guide to Playing Shooting Guard

With the 3-point shot such a huge part of today's game, the need for a reliable shooting guard is stronger than ever.

The shooting guard (or 2 guard) is best known as being the team's sharpshooter. Point guards work to set up the shooting guard for a long-range shot. The more accurate a shooting guard is, the more it opens up the floor for the other four players.

Beyond shooting, though, the shooting guard needs to be a strong perimeter defender, needs strong ball handling skills to relieve the point guard and must be able to create scoring opportunities if nobody else can.

Here are tips and drills you need to play the shooting guard position to the best of your ability.

Shooting

The heart of a shooting guard's job description is in the title itself: to be able to shoot. Here are tips to keep in mind to refine your ability.

3 Ways to Make More 3-Point Shots: Learn different drills used by the pros to develop long-range accuracy.

Shooting Off the Dribble: This animation reinforces the fundamentals needed to pick up your dribble and hit a big shot. .

7 Habits of Successful Shooting Guards: Learn what the best shooting guards do to prepare for big games.

Perimeter Defense

Perimeter shooting can make a big difference in big games. Make sure your defender is handcuffed with this expert advice from top coaches and NBA superstars.
6 Steps for Better Perimeter Defense: Defense is more than effort. Here are six fundamentals to keep in mind when you're working on your defense.

Passing

Though it's largely the point guard's job, shooting guards will be asked to make strong passes as well--both around the perimeter and into the paint. Here's how you do that to the best of your ability.

Basketball 101: Fundamentals of Passing: Get a refresher course on what kind of passing options you have--and when it's best to use each one in a game situation.

The Art of the One-Handed Pass: Though two-handed passes are ideal, it doesn't hurt to work on plays you might need in a game. Here is how to work on the one-handed pass.

Strength and Conditioning

A shooting guard's body can be improved in the areas of strength, agility and quickness. Use these tips to become a bigger, stronger and faster basketball player.
The Definitive 6-Week Guard Workout: This training plan will get any guard faster, stronger and quicker for next season.
3 Drills for an Explosive First Step: Create separation by being a step quicker than your defender. 

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Perfecting the Pick-and-Roll

basketball: shooting guard

secretary

As the name suggests, the attacker's main task is to shoot the ball. This became especially important after the addition of the three-point line. Getting the result from the attacking defender is the key to a good offense. A strong attacking defender can force the defense to play on the perimeter, opening up lanes for the ball to get inside.

Required Skills

Shooting: The number one skill required for a good shooting guard is a clean jump shot and the ability to make three pointers. You must be able to throw open shots consistently and be ready to take them when the game is on the line. If you want to be a shooting guard, you have to shoot a lot of jump shots, work on releasing your shots quickly, and shoot immediately after receiving a pass without dribbling.

Move without the ball: Since the point guard will have more ball, the attacking defenders need to learn how to move without the ball. This means moving around the site and working without screens to open up.

Defense: A strong defense helps all players, but the attacking defender will probably also play the best shooter on the other team. A strong defense can disable their best player and give your team an edge.

Handling the ball: Although not the primary ball handler (i.e. point guard), the attacking defender must still be an excellent manipulator. Good ball possession can help when trying to get the ball into the court against the press. It can also help with creating your own dribbling shot.

Important stats

Field goal percentage and points per game are the best stats to measure the effectiveness of a shooting guard. Also important is the percentage of three-point field goals. A well-balanced shooting guard will also have decent assist and rebound stats.

Best shooting guards of all time

• Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls)
• Jerry West (LA Lakers)
• Kobe Bryant (LA Lakers)
• George Gervin (San Antonio Spurs)
• Reggie Miller (Indiana Pacers)
• Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat)

Michael Jordan was not only the greatest shooting guard of all time but also the best basketball player of all time. This shows how important the position of the shooting guard can be.

Other names

• Two guards
• Surprise
• Wing

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