Some food for thought Ben -

Got this from a friend of mine.....

The road to becoming a good basketball player is not by any means an easy road. It is a road paved with hard work, sweat, skinned knees, and sometimes tears. Along the way you will find victory and defeat, encouragement and discouragement, disappointment and joy, praise and criticism, success and failure, but you should always retain the satisfaction of knowing you did the best you were possibly capable of doing. Success is this self-satisfaction.

Steve Nash Advice for Point Guards

Words of wisdom for point guards (presented by Steve Nash at the Nike Point Guard Academy

“You should always want your coach to be critical. It gives you an opportunity to learn and to overcome adversity.”

“You maximize your potential by being humble develop a work ethic, strive to be a good person, and to be the best teammate you can be.”

“Use your scoring ability to be a better passer, and your passing skills to become a better scorer.”

“You can’t be a point guard who gets into the lane and always passes. Capitalize on the real estate you have gained.”

“Point Guard must be able to pass with both hands equally off the dribble.”

‘”I am always thinking how can I get myself better.”

“On the fast break, after 2 or 3 hard dribbles you should see the whole floor and know where all your teammates are.”

Hey Ben,

How are things going? How did things work out with AAU team this summer? Here is a video I think would be worth watching - let us know what you think.

http://www.212movie.com/

Hi Coach Sar,

AAU went very well this summer.
Our team decided to go year around so that's what I'm doing as of now.
Also, during the summer I worked out with a coach from one of the local highschools.

Right now I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to score more so I can have the opportunity to get more assists.
I'm still always the smallest guy on the court at 4'11". So I think I need to get creative.
I'm always watching film of Rajon Rondo, Stephen Curry and Steve Nash to learn new things.
Do you have any advice on how to score more.

Ben

Hi Ben,

Glad to hear that you had a good summer, working with a high school coach gives you a little edge... you learn a few new things and are working at your game more than others are.

I understand the 4'11 part well, as a freshman thats how tall I was... and I didn't have the game that you do. I like your idea about needing to be more creative .... here are a couple of things that we talked about before, one being the floater that you really wanted to do. Look at this video and let me know what you think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB5SRyRlnSg
Did you watch the one video of that one team of mine? That point guard was maybe 5'7 - he was 4'11 as a freshman... he could shoot the three, handle it well and take the ball to the basket... no fear.......
Here is that game again... Brian drove me nuts but he could play... :-) We still talk once in awhile and he told me that he didn't listen enough when he was a kid... but he did LOG it all and is using it with his sons.
http://www.ihigh.com/school5105/video_886382.html

Here are some more -
http://www.hoopsking.com/point-guard-skills-drills-advanced-basketball-training.html

http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/fundamentals/guardplay.html

Questions -

1- how are you getting your shots now? Threes? Pull up jumpers created by you? Are you coming off screens by your teammates? Being able to penetrate and dish out to a wing - dump to a post player - jumper in the lane - or your favorite shot, the FLOATER are all weapons that you need to have and I guess the Floater is a very important tool.... that shot takes a lot of work so be patient with yourself. I know that you have a GREAT WORK ETHIC.

See if you can get this DVD about Pistol Pete.... he played his first Varsity high school game at 13 and he was a lot shorter than the other guys... talent makes up for a lot of things...
A biographical movie, "Pistol: The Birth of a Legend", was made in 1990. This movie is based on his first season of high school varsity basketball (which he played when he was in eighth grade).[3]
http://www.iwatchmoviesonlinefree.com/movies/the-pistol-the-birth-of-a-legend-1991/

Some tips -

The Point Guard

The point guard runs the offense and watches the backcourt. His role is so important to the team that he is really an extension of the coach on the floor. He must have these qualities:

He must have an instinctive knowledge of the game.
He must be a good ball handler.
He must be a good passer.
He must possess speed and quickness of foot.
He must be a good dribbler with either hand.
He must be able to play good hard-nosed defense.
He must be able to hit the outside shot when left open.
He must be able to penetrate and dish off.
He must be able to read defenses.
Above all, his ego must not be so inflated that it interferes with his basketball judgment. Normally, the point guard receives little publicity for his fine play; but, his coach and teammates know his value to the team

Most of my shots are pull ups from a pump fake, one dribble then shot.
I actually don't use the floater a lot because I never really see the opportunity to use it.

From our past conversations it seems like you have a good mind for the game... a lot of weapons to use etc. I still think the crossover is one of the best moves a player can make. Are you trying to penetrate into the lane of have you found thats not a good move??

You are playing AAU ball year round or are you going to play for your school team? The season has to be getting close there, yes? Let me know how things are going for you.

I am going to play AAU and school at the same time later in December.
I use the crossover a lot and I was getting past guys pretty easily but when I get into the lane I have a hard time deciding what I should do. Pass, Pullup, Floater, Go all the way.

Thanks for your help,
Ben