September 6, 2002, Newsletter Issue #74: SHOOTING GUARD MENTALITY

Tip of the Week

A "shooting guard" is generally just what you think it means: Someone, whose primary job is to shoot the ball, either as a spot up shooter, catching and releasing, or coming off screens; someone who can spot up from either in close or three-point range, and someone who defends the other team`s off-guard.
He has to be able to play excellent defense and create shots for himself in the halfcourt offense.
He needs to be a weapon from long range as well. This is true because the better a shooting guard can shoot from behind the three point line, the more it forces defenses to step farther out on the court to guard him. This, in turn, allows the lane to be open to both penetration, and for the post players.
It is also imperative that the shooting guard be able to be a spot-up shooter—to be able to catch and shoot—as well as be able to create his own shot off the dribble.
In the open floor, the two-guard must be able to run the lanes effectively, and be able to — after receiving the ball in a fastbreak situation — take the ball to the basket and score.
Though they do not have the same responsibilities heaped upon them that point guards do, a talented two-guard is an integral part of a successful team, given that he is called upon to perform so many varying tasks on the floor.

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