Getting Started
Alright, so today I hit the court, decided to really focus on my guard game. Been a while since I dedicated a whole session just to that. Got my usual gear on, grabbed my ball, and headed out. The court was pretty empty, which is always nice, lets you focus without too many distractions.
Warm-ups First, Always
You know the drill, can’t just go full throttle from the start. Started off easy, just jogging a few laps to get the blood pumping. Then did some stretching, you know, the usual stuff like touching toes, arm circles, leg swings. Nothing fancy, just getting loose. After that, picked up the ball. Did some simple stationary dribbling, figure eights through the legs, around the back, just trying to get a feel for the rock again. Gotta wake up those fingertips.
Drill Time: Guard Essentials
Okay, felt loose enough, time to actually practice being a guard. I broke it down into a few key areas I wanted to hit:
- Ball Handling: This is the big one, right? Set up a few cones. Spent a good chunk of time just dribbling around them. Crossovers, low dribbles, trying to keep my eyes looking up, not down at the ball. Easier said than done sometimes. Then practiced some change-of-pace dribbles, going fast then slow. Lost the ball a couple of times trying to push it, but hey, that’s practice. Did some full court dribbling too, left hand down, right hand back. Burned the lungs a bit.
- Passing Practice: A guard’s gotta pass. Found a wall and just started throwing passes at it. Chest passes, bounce passes, trying to hit the same spot over and over. Then imagined cutting players, leading them with the pass. Tried some one-handed push passes too, gotta be versatile. It’s boring sometimes, just passing against a wall, but gotta build that muscle memory.
- Shooting Off the Dribble: Can’t just stand still and shoot as a guard usually. Practiced dribbling up to the elbow, pulling up for a jumper. Did it from both sides. Then moved out to the three-point line, doing the same thing – couple dribbles, pull up, shoot. Clanked quite a few, not gonna lie. Focused on keeping my elbow in and follow-through smooth. Shot a bunch until my arm started to feel it. Repetition, repetition.
Putting It Together
Drills are good, but gotta simulate the game somehow. Didn’t have anyone else today, so I just pretended. Dribbled against imaginary defenders, using the moves I practiced. Tried to combine things, like a crossover into a pull-up jumper, or driving hard and then kicking out an imaginary pass. Ran some fast breaks by myself, dribbling full speed and pulling up or finishing at the rim. Felt a bit silly, maybe, but it helps visualize.
Cool Down and Thoughts
Wrapped things up with some free throws. Always good to end with free throws. Then did some more stretching, holding them longer this time. Felt pretty good afterwards, sweaty and tired, but good tired. Handling felt a bit sharper than when I started. Shooting still needs work, gotta get more consistent, especially off the dribble. But yeah, solid practice session today. Just gotta keep showing up and putting in the time.
