by Eric Bailey

Created on: March 06, 2009   Last Updated: March 07, 2009

Arguably the most important position on the court for a team, the point guard position in basketball demands a unique set of skills that the other spots do not utilize as frequently nor as significantly.

Primarily in charge of controlling the offense and deciding where the ball will go on any given play, the "1" guard often brings the basketball up court, then will either improvise his or her own attempt at scoring, dish it to a teammate, or more pointedly orchestrate a scheme by calling for a specific play.

Notable NBA point guards have included Bob Cousy, Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, Nate Archibald, Walt Frazier, John Stockton, Gary Payton, Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, and current up-and-coming player Chris Paul. While many of these had a very strong and distinct personality, in order to play this role effectively, there are certain skills that all good point guards must have in common.

Vision

From the moment a point guard's hands touch the ball and bring it across the half court line, both eyes are scanning all ten players in their various positions and movements. From this vantage point, the 1 guard must consider the best possibility available, while defending against the opposing guard. Considering the potential for plays such as a pick and roll, an alley-oop, his or her own shot, etc., this position demands an immaculate attention to detail and an experienced understanding of the subtle nuances at work in every play.

Handling

The point guard must have superb ball-handling skills, and the best at the position often achieve handling feats that seem almost magical. Whether it is threading a pass through multiple defenders, or dribbling past an opposing player, this guard must be able to manipulate or deliver the ball wherever it needs to go in any situation necessary with speed and precision.

Planning

Although the play book for each possession is not as literal as that of football, in basketball there are definitely specific schemes and team techniques designed for optimal chances at scoring. The point guard will not only be required to achieve second-nature knowledge of these plans, but must also be able to implement them, often as their primary player. They can be as simple as a give-and-go or as complex as a professional triangle offense; whatever the case may be, the point guard must be equipped with a brain able to handle complex maneuvers and game-changing ideas.

In addition, you will often heard about soft skills such as "court presence," "kill instinct," "drive," and other intangibles. While their manifestations and importance can vary, at the end of the day the point guard's role is deceptively simple: Try to engineer a score on every play by any means necessary.

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