Overview
The shooting guard has one of the key responsibilities on the basketball court. Whether he comes off the bench or he starts the game, the coach and his teammates expect him to provide instant offense. This requires an aggressive mental approach, a clean and smooth outside shot and the ability to drive to the basket and score on the inside.
Step 1
Take the ball at the three-point line on the right side. On a signal with your forward, dribble to the right baseline. As soon as he sees you make your move, he will set a screen at the baseline to give you an open shot. The timing of this must be close to perfect, because his screen will keep your opponent from putting a hand in your face and also keep his man from getting near you. As soon as you pass the screener, rise up and fire the open jump shot. You can drill doing this by putting two chairs in the spot where the screener will be standing. Take 10 practice jump shots from this spot every day.
Step 2
Work your way toward the right corner when your point guard has the ball on the right side of the court. One of the key pieces of your offense will be his dribble-drive penetration with a kick-out to the shooting guard for a quick shot. Again, timing is key. The point guard will take the ball to the hole if nobody comes to stop him, but finding the shooting guard is the top option if the defense does its job. The key is to anticipate the pass and rise quickly to get off an effective shot.
Step 3
Groove your shot at practice. This is a drill to develop form and confidence. Start just a foot from the basket, take the ball in your dominant hand, raise the ball over your head and shoot. Move back one foot after you make each shot and by the time you are on your fourth shot, use your weak hand as a guide. Then, take 10 free throws once you get to the foul line. Record how you did from the free throw line--your goal is to improve your showing every day. Keep recording your free throw performance so you can see if you have improved over a week or 10 days.
Step 4
Cross over with your dribble to lose the defender when you are in 1-on-1 situation with the ball at the top of the key or at the free-throw line. Crossing over hard from right to left or left to right will give you a split second to explode to the basket while your defender tries to get his balance. The key to this move is a clear path to the basket. To do a drill for your cross-over, go to the side of the court and take a wide base. Your feet should be wider than shoulder-length apart. Take the ball in your right hand and dribble it to the side to your left hand. Make a sideways dribble with your left hand back to your right. Be careful not to catch the ball on the underside and then dribble again. Your palms cannot be facing upward at any point in the dribble. Dribble from side to side for two minutes, then introduce motion to the process by walking as you dribble.
Step 5
Feed the post man and then slip through to the opposite wing. This can be a staple play of many offenses. After you get the ball at the wing, throw the ball in to the center at the top of the right post. Run to the far left wing, take the pass and rise up for the open shot. Make sure you are past the three-point line to get full value for this shot.
The shooting guard has one of the key responsibilities on the basketball court. Whether he comes off the bench or he starts the game, the coach and his teammates expect him to provide instant offense. This requires an aggressive mental approach, a clean and smooth outside shot and the ability to drive to the basket and score on the inside.
Step 1
Take the ball at the three-point line on the right side. On a signal with your forward, dribble to the right baseline. As soon as he sees you make your move, he will set a screen at the baseline to give you an open shot. The timing of this must be close to perfect, because his screen will keep your opponent from putting a hand in your face and also keep his man from getting near you. As soon as you pass the screener, rise up and fire the open jump shot. You can drill doing this by putting two chairs in the spot where the screener will be standing. Take 10 practice jump shots from this spot every day.
Step 2
Work your way toward the right corner when your point guard has the ball on the right side of the court. One of the key pieces of your offense will be his dribble-drive penetration with a kick-out to the shooting guard for a quick shot. Again, timing is key. The point guard will take the ball to the hole if nobody comes to stop him, but finding the shooting guard is the top option if the defense does its job. The key is to anticipate the pass and rise quickly to get off an effective shot.
Step 3
Groove your shot at practice. This is a drill to develop form and confidence. Start just a foot from the basket, take the ball in your dominant hand, raise the ball over your head and shoot. Move back one foot after you make each shot and by the time you are on your fourth shot, use your weak hand as a guide. Then, take 10 free throws once you get to the foul line. Record how you did from the free throw line--your goal is to improve your showing every day. Keep recording your free throw performance so you can see if you have improved over a week or 10 days.
Step 4
Cross over with your dribble to lose the defender when you are in 1-on-1 situation with the ball at the top of the key or at the free-throw line. Crossing over hard from right to left or left to right will give you a split second to explode to the basket while your defender tries to get his balance. The key to this move is a clear path to the basket. To do a drill for your cross-over, go to the side of the court and take a wide base. Your feet should be wider than shoulder-length apart. Take the ball in your right hand and dribble it to the side to your left hand. Make a sideways dribble with your left hand back to your right. Be careful not to catch the ball on the underside and then dribble again. Your palms cannot be facing upward at any point in the dribble. Dribble from side to side for two minutes, then introduce motion to the process by walking as you dribble.
Step 5
Feed the post man and then slip through to the opposite wing. This can be a staple play of many offenses. After you get the ball at the wing, throw the ball in to the center at the top of the right post. Run to the far left wing, take the pass and rise up for the open shot. Make sure you are past the three-point line to get full value for this shot.
