The shooting guard could be the most famous position in basketball.
It’s a position that has been filled by many legendary basketball players including the greatest player of all time (MJ) and The Mamba (Kobe).
And it’s well known as a “scoring” position.
The player in this role is expected to knock down three-point shots, have the ability to pull up from midrange if necessary, and also be able to drive to the hoop and score.
The expectations for a shooting guard are very high!
In this post, I’ll break down 11 different ways they must be able to score, and I’ll also show you how a shooting guard can easily average 27 points every game.
But first...
What is a Shooting Guard?
A shooting guard (also known as the ‘2’ or the ‘off guard’) is one of the five basketball positions.
As the name suggests, their main role involves scoring the basketball.
They’re usually the team’s best long-distance shooter, and must also be capable of point guard duties if required (must be able to dribble and pass reasonably well).
Height and athleticism can vary greatly between shooting guards. But in general, this position is filled by the second shortest player on the floor, with only the point guard being shorter.
11 Shooting Guard Scoring Secrets
Reaching 27 points per game as a shooting guard won’t be easy.
But with hard work and the right knowledge…
You can definitely do it.
Here are 11 secrets that will help all shooting guards dominate their position:
1. Master the Mechanics of Shooting
To be a great shooting guard, you must be a great shooter.
And being a great shooter always starts with perfecting your shooting mechanics.
This will take time, but it’s worth the investment in the long run.
It’s MUCH easier to improve a fundamentally sound shot than it is to make progress when you’re making several shooting form mistakes.
Here’s a quick overview:
1. Make sure you’ve got a balanced base.
2. Lock your eyes on the target.
3. Bend your wrist and get your elbow under the ball.
4. Shoot without force from your ‘balance hand’.
5. Follow through.
2. Become an Elite Long-Distance Shooter
Once you’ve got the shooting form perfected, it’s time to spend many hours in the gym.
The first goal is to become a “consistent” three-point shooter.
A player who the coach can rely on to convert one or two three-point shots in most games.
After that…
The goal is to become an ELITE long-distance shooter.
A player who knocks down 40+ percent of their shots from the outside consistently.
This is the type of player the opposition fears leaving open, and they’ll be sure to guard them tightly no matter where they are on the floor.
Being a player who has this shooting range makes the game much easier for your teammates because the defender guarding you will be hesitant to provide help defense.
3. Learn How to Move Without the Basketball
Out of the team’s two guards, it’s the point guard who will do most of the dribbling.
The shooting guard must understand how to move without the ball to be effective.
This requires being able to read defenders, having perfect footwork to execute a variety of cuts (flare, backdoor, curl, etc), and knowing how to use screens to your advantage.
A perfect example of this is Klay Thompson...
When Klay scored 60 points against the Indiana Pacers, he only dribbled the basketball 11 times! Crazy. The majority of his open shots came from smart off-ball movement.
Take a look at the video:
4. Master the Backdoor Cut
Once you become a feared outside shooter, teams are going to start denying the basketball.
Which involves the defender making sure they have a hand and a foot in the passing lane when you’re one-pass away from the ball.
This opens up the opportunity for a backdoor cut.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Set your defender up by acting like you’re about to receive the basketball.
2. Push off hard with your outside foot and explode in the direction of the hoop.
3. Receive the pass (usually a bounce pass) and finish with a layup.
If you can time this correctly, it will result in 2 - 3 extra made shots every game.
5. Develop a Variety of Finishes at the Hoop
When you get to the hoop, you need to have several ways to score depending on how the defense challenges your shots at the rim.
A few examples:
- Power layup
- Reverse layup
- Floater
- Euro step
- Underhand layup
- etc
Another convenient part of becoming a great shooter is it will lead to more shots inside, too.
Defenders will be more likely to jump on your shot fakes, and it will be easier to drive past the defender because of how tightly they’re guarding you.
Just make sure you can finish!
6. Develop a Deadly Floater Game
Continuing on with the previous point…
Out of all the finishes you can master, developing a consistent floater is the most important.
Since the shooting guard is usually one of the smallest players on the court, being able to attack the hoop and then ‘float’ the basketball over the help defense is an absolute must.
Make sure you’re practicing off the backboard and swishing the ball through the hoop.
7. Become the Team’s Go-To Free-Throw Shooter
Being a great free throw shooter is very important.
A shooting guard should make at least 80% of their free throw attempts.
The best way to achieve this is by knocking down two free throws between each drill when you’re working out by yourself or with a teammate.
By shooting free throws in sets of two (as you do in games) and also shooting while fatigued, you ensure game-like free throw practice.
8. Sprint on Every Fast Break
The team’s point guard is going to advance the ball down the floor on most possessions.
Which gives shooting guards the opportunity to sprint down the floor looking for a quick pass over the defense and a wide open layup.
Even if you don’t receive the lob pass…
A shooting guard who sprints the floor will automatically be in position to explode out and catch the basketball on the wing to start the offense.
Doing this can also open up your teammates and create mismatches!
9. Practice Scoring in Isolation
There are a few situations which can lead to isolation scoring:
1. When you have a mismatch with an opposition post player. A shooting guard should be able to use their quickness in isolation to attack the rim and score.
2. Being the team’s best scorer, the coach is going to look to you when the clock is counting down and the team needs to get a quality shot.
For both reasons, it’s important to practice iso scoring.
The best way is to challenge a teammate or friend to a game of 1-on-1 and then limit the amount of dribbles allowed to 3 dribbles or less.
10. Master the Midrange Game
The midrange shot in today’s game is viewed as a “bad shot” by many coaches.
And the statistics can back this up.
But, in my opinion, all great shooting guards still need to have a reliable midrange jump shot.
Whether you’re catching off a curl cut and need to raise up into your shot, or need to shoot a pull-up to avoid a crowded key, the midrange shot is necessary.
Work on it.
11. Don’t Hesitate When You’re in a Shooting Slump
"I think the worst thing you can do as a shooter is hesitate. You must keep believing the next one’s going in" - Dirk Nowitzki
I have bad news...
You WILL have bad shooting games.
It’s happened to all the greatest shooters of all time, and it’s going to happen to you too.
- Steph Curry shot 0 - 11 from three-point range.
- Ray Allen shot 0 - 13 in game 3 of the NBA Finals.
- Reggie Miller shot 1 - 16 in game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Make sure you’re mentally ready for it…
And keep shooting.
How to Easily Score 27 Points Per Game
Despite the smaller size of most shooting guards, scoring from the SG position isn’t incredibly difficult as long as you have an outside jump shot.
Let’s take a look at how a shooting guard can score 27 points in a regular game:
a. 2x Three-Pointers - 6 points
Knock down two three-point attempts throughout the game. These will usually come from the team’s half-court offense or the coach drawing up a set play to get you open.
b. 3x Drive and Finish - 6 points
When defenders close out to contest your shot, put the ball on the floor and attack the hoop. If you can do this three times in a game, it’s an easy six points.
c. 3x Fast Breaks - 6 points
Outwork your opponent by sprinting down the floor hard every time your team gets possession. This will free you up for several fast break opportunities every game.
d. 3/4 Free Throws - 3 points
If you’re running the floor hard and attacking the hoop, you’re guaranteed to get fouled several times. When you get to the line, knock down 75% of your free-throws.
e. 1x Midrange Shots - 2 points
Making a single midrange shot in an entire game isn’t hard, is it? If your defender bites on a shot fake, take one or two dribbles inside a pull up for an open jump shot.
f. 1x Backdoor Cuts - 2 points
When you’re knocking down outside shots consistently, teams are going to overplay you to keep the basketball out of your hands. Perform a quick backdoor cut for two easy points.
g. 1x Isolation - 2 points
When a post defender switches on to you, isolate them on the perimeter. They won’t be quick enough on their feet to stay in front of you. Drive past them and finish with a layup.
The 3 Best Shooting Guards of All Time
For a bit of fun, here are my top 3 shooting guards to ever play the game.
1. Michael Jordan
2. Kobe Bryant
3. Dwyane Wade
Over to you…
“Who do you think are the 3 best shooting guards ever?”
Answer below in the comments.