Being undersized in a sport where being tall is a pretty good advantage can be tough, but height is something that we get through genetics, and if you hang our head and think it’s not possible to be great because you’re short, then you’ll never have a chance. In this blog post we will go over the top skills undersized guards may have to become better basketball players.
#1 Resilience
To perfect your game as an undersized guard, there are a lot of different things you’ll need to figure out as you go. One of the biggest characteristics you could have as an undersized guard is resilience.
You’re going to have to take the time to figure out how to approach some situations. For example, when you get to the hoop, you may have to deal with getting blocked. In order to get around that, you need to be resilient in figuring out how to avoid that. Whether that’s incorporating a floater into your game, or adding different angles to your layup, you need to be resilient in your approach and keep working on it until you get it just right.
Resilience is also important when it comes to your mindset. Undersized guards may face a lot of negativity or doubt, but if you stay positive and believe in yourself.
#2 Leadership
You have to be a leader if you want to stand out as an undersized guard. The best example of this is Chris Paul. No matter where he goes in the NBA, he is able to take his team and lead them in the right direction. This means:
- Setting a good example with your work ethic. Be the first person in the gym and the last person out.
- Communicating with your teammates on and off the court effectively
- Being positive even when your teammates aren’t doing the right things
- Take ownership of the things you could do better. If you do this, the rest of the team will follow.
- Last but not least, you want to show respect for your teammates and coaches. If you show respect, chances are all of your teammates will follow.
#3 Work Hard On Your Defensive Skills
When you’re a shorter player, it can be tougher to defend taller players. The key is to work extra hard on your defensive skills in order to stay competitive. Some of the things you should focus on to be a better defender include:
Improving Lateral Quickness Combined With Staying Low
Lateral quickness is the ability to move back and forth quickly, and this is a key skill for undersized guards to be able to play good defense. If you could work on your ability to stay low while moving quickly, this could really be a game changer for you. Taller players don’t like when their legs feel restricted and combining these things can be very effective at keeping them in check.
Team Defense
As a shorter player, knowing where to be in certain situations while playing team defense is key. You don’t want to let your height be a disadvantage in this area. Work on your closeouts, rotations, and help defense, so you can be effective at defending all areas of the court.
Strength Train
The next thing is post defense. It’s important as a smaller guard to get in the gym and work on your strength this way you’re not easily pushed around. If you notice anything about shorter guards that make it to the NBA, you’ll realize that they often have more muscle mass to compensate for their lack of size.
#4 Using Contact To Your Advantage
As a smaller guard, being able to use your body to Shield the defender or make contact with the defender to hinder their advantage is key.
When you drive to the hoop and go up for a layup you want to be able to bump the defensive player right before you go up as this throws them off balance and keeps them from jumping as high as they could to block your shot.
One thing you want to keep in mind though, is you should strictly use your body. If you flare an elbow or use your shoulder too much you may find yourself being whistled for an offensive foul.
#5 Shot Arsenal
When you’re a shorter player, it’s very important to have a good shot arsenal. This means having a variety of shooting moves at your disposal, including:
- Jump shots
- Floaters
- Shots off the dribble
- & More
Basketball is a chess game, and as a shorter player it’s important to make sure your game is unpredictable. Here’s an example. If you’re a shorter player and you have a good floater or midrange jump shot, this will make the big man have to step up as you drive. If they step up, this gives you the opportunity to use your quickness to get around them and get a layup.
This is why having a well-rounded arsenal of shots is so important, especially as a shorter player.
#6 Ball Handling & Decision Making
Leading the offense in basketball require two main things. Being able to handle the ball, and make the right decisions on the court. First we’re going to get into the keys of being a good ball handler, then we’ll get into how you can improve your decision making on the court.
Keys To Improving Ball Handling
The first key to improving your ball handling is to have a set routine in place. No matter how often you practice, you need to make sure it’s an efficient use of your time. Here are a few tips to help you optimize your practice sessions:
Set a Dribbles Per Minute (DPM) goal to aim for
Setting a dribbles per minute limit will allow you to push the pace every single time you’re working on your ball handling. The last thing you want to do while working on your dribbling is going at a slow pace and not challenging yourself.
Make Sure Both Hands Are Equal
As a point guard, making sure both hands are equally as good is key. The last thing you want to do is get forced left because you have a bad left hand, which could easily lead to turnovers.
Focus On Keeping Your Head Up
Keeping your head up is essential to being a good ball handler. this is because it allows you to see the floor as you’re taking the ball up. This could lead to passes to open teammates and will also allow you to see when your defender isn’t in good position.
Keys To Improving Your Decision Making
Next up is decision making, which is just as important as being able to handle the ball. Here are a few tips for improving your decision making on the court:
Watch Film Or YouTube
Watching film, or if you don’t have film, watching highlight videos of other players could help you figure out how to deal with certain situations. This could help with being able to make the right decisions on when to pass or shoot, and help you prepare for different defensive schemes.
Communicate With Your Teammates
In basketball, situations change fast. Being able to communicate with your teammates will help your decision making skills be on point throughout the entire game.
In Summary
Being a shorter point guard could be a challenge at first, but if you work hard enough and develop the right skills, you could still be a very successful player. if you have any additional tips on how to succeed as a shorter player, leave them in the comments below.
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