Defining skill sets in your position

It is very important at a young age to establish certain skill sets at each position. Many players today don’t develop a skill to get them into a game. Because of the lack of practice time and the increase in the amount of games that are played young players fail to make any strides in development. There isn’t an exact blueprint to follow to make yourself a good player, but there needs to be a consistency in high repetitions. Repetition isn’t a form of punishment it is a players best friend. You need to develop a routine to follow with your workout schedule to develop the skill sets that go with your position.
There are certain skills that you need at every position. For instance I think every position needs to be able to shoot the ball from 12-15 feet. Ball handling should be something worked on, because at the middle school/high school level a player may be asked to play a post position, but maybe at the varsity high school/college level they may be asked to make the transition to the perimeter. It is important to touch upon ball handling if you play point guard or center. Movement without the ball and cutting should be practiced at every position. Last but not least lateral movement should be something practiced. Defense is probably the least popular thing to work on as a player, but a necessity.
Players and coaches must understand that with every position comes a certain number of traits and characteristics that need to be developed. From my time scouting in the NBA I’ve always had a list of characteristics that made up a good player at every position. Here’s a look at it.

Point Guard
Be able to set the table/Run their team
Be able to penetrate the teeth of the defense and get in the lane consistently
Get the ball to shooters and post players to enable them to get off by using the least amount of energy to do so
Run pick and roll not only to score (finishes, mid range, deep range), but also set other players on their team up
Consistently make a 15 foot jumper (three point threat is extra)
Change speeds effectively
Take care of the ball have a minimum 2.5 to 1 turnover to assist ratio
Good on the ball defender as well as being in good help position at all times
Rebound out of point guard position
Be able to make reads and find open players when help defenders help off of their teammates
Get the ball into the post

Shooting Guard
Make reads off of pin downs (curl,fade,backdoor, hit the big when defender gets unattached)
17 foot range (three point threat extra)
Mid range 1-2 dribble pullup
Be able to create space while receiving the ball on the wing
Be able to enter the ball to the post on a consistent basis
Movement without the ball (cuts)
Make reads off of the ball when help defenders help off to get to you
Rebound out of the shooting guard position
Be able to pop out from the block to the wing and create space to get your shot off
Handle the ball as a secondary ball handler to get team in offense
Defend your position
Pick and roll offense(extra)

Small Forward
Make reads off of pin downs (curl,fade,backdoor, hit the big when defender gets unattached)
17 foot range (three point threat extra)
Mid range 1-2 dribble pullup
Be able to create space while receiving the ball on the wing
Be able to enter the ball to the post on a consistent basis
Movement without the ball (cuts)
Make reads off of the ball when help defenders help off to get to you
Rebound out of the Small Forward Position
Be able to pop out from the block to the wing and create space to get your shot off
Handle the ball as a secondary ball handler to get team in offense
Defend your position
Pick and roll offense
Post Up
Transition ball handling

Power Forward
Rim Run on every opportunity
Establish position on the block
Be able to turn over both shoulders from the post with a jumpshot or hook with no dribble
Be able to score with your back to the basket with at least 1 move and a counter for that move
Be able to face up from the mid post and make a 5-7 foot jumpshot as well as drive
Move without the ball (duck ins, relocations, high low etc, slip on screens)
Set good screens and seal
Grab a rebound every 4 minutes or less
Roll hard on screen and roll
Pass out of double teams as well as spot cutters.
Be an anchor for your defense talk, move off of the ball, good team defender
Shot Blocker (extra)
Be a presence with your activity

Center

Make reads off of pin downs (curl,fade,backdoor, hit the big when defender gets unattached)
17 foot range (three point threat extra)
Mid range 1-2 dribble pullup
Be able to create space while receiving the ball on the wing
Be able to enter the ball to the post on a consistent basis
Movement without the ball (cuts)
Make reads off of the ball when help defenders help off to get to you
Rebound out of the shooting guard position
Be able to pop out from the block to the wing and create space to get your shot off
Handle the ball as a secondary ball handler to get team in offense
Defend your position
Pick and roll offense

IN CLOSING

You don’t have to master all of these traits to be a good player at that position, but it helps to understand what makes a good player. As long as you can develop close to half of the skills mentioned at a particular position you will be successful. It takes a lot of work, but understand that you need a plan to execute to develop your game.

I hope this article was helpful and if you need anything from us please don’t hesitate to email me at info@thehoopconsultants.com or follow us at @hoopconsultants

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