The point guard position is the most mentally challenging position in the game of basketball — in my opinion of course.The point guard is the play-maker of the team on the court. With some instruction from the coach, they decide which plays to run on offense and how to work the ball around overall, as well as be a leader for on-court movement of other players. This is not always easy, though. There are many different pressures that could easily distract a point guard like, the defense and how close and tight they play, the clock, and potentially the scoreboard. A lot of factors and qualities make a good point guard, but ignoring all the pressures if the key.

To make all of this easier, here are some tips and tricks for all you point guards — or want-to-be point guards out there.

1. Keep your eyes above the defense– Trust me on this one ladies and gentlemen! Staring into the eyes of the defense is quite intimidating. One of the best pieces of advice I received to calm the nerves and not give into the intimidation that could result in mistakes is to look only at your other team members. Forget the defense and simply look above their heads. By keeping them in your periphery, you are able to block out any mind tricks and focus on moving your team around to score some points.
2. Strengthen your mental tenacity– This one goes hand-in-hand with tip number one. If you are a personal who is easily distracted or panic in tight situations, find your own personal trick to overcome those things. It could be as simple as taking a breath, or focusing on one thing more than another while playing. Whatever it is, hone in on it, hold on to it, and use it every time you need it to be the best ball handler you can be.
3. Know your teammates’ game– Let’s just say if you don’t know how your teammates play, you might get distracted even by them because you don’t know what they are doing. Sometimes this trick just comes down to playing time. The more time you spend playing with and against your own teammates, the more you will know just how they play. Picking up on there non-verbal cues, movements, and thinking are what will glue the team together and improve your own skills as a point guard.
4. Don’t be a showoff– Come on now; no one likes a showoff. It is just the honest truth. If you know how your team functions as a whole and how each of your teammates play, you won’t need to be a showoff or ball hog. Work with your team to fix the weaknesses and improve your strengths. This way, you will never feel the need to play as a team of one. Don’t forget, assists are recorded just as much as points scored.
5. Listen to your coach– He/She is the coach for a reason, after all. Your coach has a better view of the court because he/she is on the side away from all the distractions. This means he/she is not trying to fight through all the distractions like you are. Take the instructions, criticisms, and positive comments offered. Trust me, all of it is worth every second you listen.
6. Practice your ball handling skills– Whether you already have a high skill level or you are just coming into the position and need to work on a few things, this is an extremely helpful tip. The more you practice the better you’ll get. I know it is one of the most overused cliches ever, but that is because it is 100 percent true. Pick up a ball in your spare time and practice dribbling in each hand high, low, figure eights, and any other drills you feel help you maintain or build your ball handling skill level.