This year I've been watching Monta Ellis on the Warriors. He always seems to be getting to the basket and either getting fouled or scoring. I want to know how to do just that. Is there any tips on how to get to the basket and finish and how to draw a foul.

I wouldn't worry about being anyone but yourself. As soon as you are looking to draw a foul you lose site of the reason you were going to the basket... and thats to score! Put the ball in the basket and IF you get fouled... its a bonus. ( no pun intended )

Seriously.... concentrate on the shot and the rest will take care of itself. What age group do you play with?

Good luck,

Ken

I play middle school basketball. 4 10 and a combo guard.

OK, at least I understand where you are coming from. Like I said before, be yourself...... its great that you want to improve your game and emulate a player like that.

You have a long time to improve your game.... be the best point and / or shooting guard that you can be. IF I were you I would work on my point guard skills for now. Learn how to run the team..be a coach on the floor.

Take the ball to the hole when you get the chance and try to make the shot... as you get better at that you can work on taking the ball into the defenders body a little bit... the only problem with that is this... at your age... you will probably be more concerned in drawing the foul and NOT making the shot.

Work on your free throws... GOOD point guards make a good percentage of them. What your thoughts are now? Good luck and let us know how your game is going this year.

Ken

Maybe I missed the point a little bit here.... you need to work on your ball handling skills... come up with a couple of good moves... one like a KILLER crossover where you leave the guy looking for his shorts.

There are a lot of drills out there... probably on this site also... keep working on them until no one can take the ball away from you and you have mastered a couple of good moves.... where you can take your man off the dribble.

Work on your passing skills also... so you can make other kids on your team better.... penetrate in the lane, jump stop and either dish/shoot/ or kick it out.

I hope this helps you. Good luck,

Ken

thanks a lot. ill try to implement these things in my game.

No problem, Let us know how its going from time to time. Are you in 7th or 8th grade? Your first goal now is to make the high school team.

Good luck

Ken

i am in 7th grade but i will be on the 8th grade team this year

OK, so the coach must think you have "game" -- as a 7th grader and being the point guard.... you should be thinking more about running the team, setting up your teammates along with the other stuff we talked about.

I worked with your age group for 13 years before I went on to the high school level. I've seen kids grow into a position IF you will have some patience with yourself....... keep working hard, improve your skills and instead of YOU forcing the action, let the shots come to you... unless your coach has other things he wants you to do like driving the ball to the basket.

Let us know how things are progressing.

Ken

Here is something that I found for you from Glen Wilkes... things a good point guard should be able to do. Lets not get to crazy now ... there is a lot here, you are young and have plenty of time to work on these skills. Just keep working on the fundamentals.

These skills just give you an idea as to what coaches are looking for in a point guard.

Court vision
Decision Making
Entry Passing
Penetration Ability
Leadership abilities
SHOOTING:
Lay-ups in Traffic
Medium Range Jump Shooting (Catch-shoot & off dribble)
3 Point Shooting
*Good shot selection
PASSING:
Perimeter passing
Feeding the Post
Passing after Penetration
Passing on Fast Break
DRIBBLING:
Various Dribble Moves (Rt & Left Hand, types, techniques)
How to Play Fast but not be in a Hurry
SCREENING: (All types of screens)
FASTBREAK:
Receiving Outlet Pass
Dribble Penetration on Break
Downcourt Vision/Recognition
Using the Long Rebound
Handling Traps
When to Rebound Offensively
Time and Score Recognition
Tempo Dictation

DEFENSE:

Downcourt and midcourt defensive ability
Lateral Foot Speed
Stop Ball Penetration
Defending Screens
Defensive Closeout Ability
2 on 1 and 3 on 2 Defense
Drawing the Charge
Post Double Team
Defensive Rebounding

I hope that you read things on this site from time to time to get some ideas as to what other players/coaches are thinking. Good luck and let us know how things are going.

Ken