Prepare Your Players for Their Role on the Court

Posted September 06, 2010 by Gary Link
Under  • Guest Post  • Coaching & Athletics

Although basketball practices don’t tip off until October, working NOW with each player is crucial.

Here are some tips to get your ballers started on the right foot:

Each of your athletes needs to be an all-around good basketball player regardless of position.

These kids are just that: kids. But, at age 14, 15, 16 they’re growing fast. Your scrawny forward that currently sits the bench could grow four inches this season and develop into next year’s starting point guard. At this age their fundamental skills are more important than individual roles. Prepare them for their future role on the team by making sure all their skills are refined–hitting the boards, free throw drills, sprints, three pointers and defensive transition.

Now, let’s talk about what those individual skill sets should be once they’re ready:

Point Guard – The extension of the coach on the floor.

Here’s your leader. This athlete needs to make sure they get everyone else involved. As cheesy as it sounds, your all-star PG needs to be humble. They will need to give up some of their game to get others involved. They can’t have the ball in their hands all the time. They must never fall in love with one side of the court.

You’ll know you’ve got the right person for the job when they only have the ball in their hands 20% of the time and they share the floor well.

Off Guard – The shooting guard.

Call them what you want. In high school they need to do two things:

1. Be the best shooter on your team. That means each day they need to put up hundreds of shots. The off guard is primarily a scorer and needs to learn how to drive the ball to the basket and finish.
2. Be prepared to step up to PG at any given time.

It’s much more important in high school to have combination guards, so if your PG gets in foul trouble, you can bring your off guard over and sub in another shooter. Make sure they work on their dribbling and are able to knock down open shots.

Small Forward – One hell of an athlete.

This kid needs to be able to rebound, shoot, and defend your opponent’s best player. It’s very important for them to be in great shape because they go up and down the court so much—more than any of the other four. Your small forward has to rebound and high tail down to the other end of the floor to defend.

Your PG runs the show, your OG runs the ball, and your small forward rebounds the basketball and gets down to the other end quick.

The small forward’s O and D skills should be above anyone else’s on the team.

Power Forward – Rebound. Rebound. Rebound.

Your power forward should be strong and the best at rebounding the ball. He/She should always post up on the weak side of the floor. In high school, the weak side is almost always on the left because most point guards are right handed. Most offenses are geared towards the right side of the floor.

If your power forward is ready and waiting on the left side, he/she can grab 9/10 shots that - when missed from the strong side - will go to the left. Your power forward is ready and waiting to pounce.

Side Tip: If your D can force the opposing PG to go to the left side of the court, you can really screw up your opponent’s ability to pass and drive.

Center – Have a football player on your team?

Have a bigger athlete who may not be as quick as your point guard or small forward? Make them your center so they clog up the middle. They don’t need to be overly athletic, they just need to control the lane and have an intimidating presence. If they are a real beast right in the paint, they can clog up the lane and make it difficult when that OG comes down the floor.

Check out some ‘big man drills’ to help your center master the low post.