Great Point Guards (Player's Handbook Chapter)

1. Great point guards know their team’s optimal tempo.
*On offense, defense, and in transition, they know when to speed up the tempo or slow it down.
2. Great point guards know who's hot and who's not.
*They know how to get the ball to the hot perimeter shooter and/or when to get the ball inside.
3. Great point guards are "energy" for their team.
*No matter what the circumstances, good or bad, they play with great enthusiasm for the game.
4. Great point guards communicate constantly.
*For 32 minutes, these guys never shut-up. They are the coach's voice on the floor.
5. Great point guards level off the ball.
*They see to it the ball is stopped and contained. Dribble penetration does not happen! Period.
6. Great point guards involve everybody.
*They know how to get their best scorers the ball on a consistent basis, but are always on the lookout for ways to create high percentage scoring opportunities for other teammates as well.
7. Great point guards can feel the team's "pulse".
*In practice and games, they know when to fire up and/or calm down certain teammates.
8. Great point guards quickly recognize "Charlies".
*They look for and find mismatches as soon as they occur.
9. Great point guards "run the show"!
*Quickly and clearly, they communicate play calls and/or changes in the open court and during dead ball situations. They also have the ability to organize a team after an offensive breakdown.
10. Great point guards "guard"!
*They keep constant pressure on the ball. Not allowing the passer adequate vision as well as forcing the dribbler away from his desired path of attack.
11. Great point guards advance the ball.
*From key to key, they are can advance the ball in 3-4 dribbles easy. They also pass ahead to a teammate who is open down the court.
12. Great point guards value the ball!
*Rarely do they turn the ball over. Likewise, when they deliver a pass it is on the money and away from the defense – allowing for their teammate to catch the ball in optimal scoring position.
13. Great point guards do not shoot every time.
*However, they can knock the open shot any time they are open. They can also create a shot for the benefit of the team.
14. Great point guards have an intense will to win!
*They absolutely refuse to lose. This is an intangible attribute developed over the many hours in the gym pursuing excellence in all phases of the game!
15. Great point guards are an extension of the coach on the floor.
*They thoroughly understand everything that's expected of them as well as their teammates. They understand it's impossible to win if all the oarsmen are not rowing in the same direction.

Champions choose to live as champions!