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POINT GUARD SKILLS

The following skills summarize those skills needed to play the point guard position successfully. These are a lot to learn but they give a guide to both the player and coach on what skills will be needed for the position. It can be made into a checklist with a 1-5 rating of each skill that a coach can use in teaching the position skills and communication with his/her point guards.

OFFENSE:

Good Court vision
Smart Decision Making
Entry passing ability
Good Penetration Ability
Strong Leadership Voice

SHOOTING:
Lay-up in traffic
Medium Range Jump Shooting (Catch-shoot and off dribble)
(Ability to pull up off hard penetration for quick jumper)
3 Point shooting

PASSING:
Perimeter passing
Feeding the Post
Passing after penetration
Passing on Fast Break

DRIBBLING:
Various dribble moves (right and left hand, types, technique)
Ability to play fast but not be in a hurry

SCREENING: (ability to set and receive screens, downscreen, rear screen, or flare screen)

FAST BREAK:
Footwork for Receiving outlet pass
Downcourt speed with the ball
Dribble penetration
Downcourt vision/recognition
Dribble penetration ability
Ability to use the long rebound
Handling Traps
Knowing when to rebound offensively
Time and Score Recognition
Tempo dictation

DEFENSE:
Downcourt and midcourt defensive ability
Lateral foot speed
Stop ball penetration
Ability to defend screens
Defensive closeout ability
2 on 1 and 3 on 2 defensive knowledge/ability
Ability to Draw the charge
Post double team technique/ability
Defensive rebounding ability

Source: Glenn Wilkes, Point Guard Skills