I Really Wanna Score?

Question

Im on a middle school basketball team. I just cant seem to score. You had to try out for the team so I know im good. Im an excellent team player averaging about 4 assists per game. But I average only .4 points per game. When I play at parks I am the best point guard there and I score just about every point. I really want to score. scored 5 points this entire season of 12 Games. Whats wrong with me?

I cant shoot to save my life just saying.

I do have handle though and Im an excellent driver.

Answer 1

i think this is the case of too many cooks trying to fix up dinner.. but I'll give you my two cents anyway..

it's all about muscle memory.. i think one of the easiest problems to fix in one's hoop game is shooting.. (just ask Michael Redd)

keep shooting, but don't just jack the shots up.. try and see what form you're comfortable in, whether it be you shooting with two hands for jumpers, driving for lay ups or whatever.. but if you ask me, the best form is the basic set release, say you're righty, left hand guiding the ball from the side or from the top, and your shooting hand providing the top spin for the basketball.. i shouldn't be telling you this if you can score in parks.. it should all be the same, as it is all a mental test..

and enough of that cliche junk about being a point guard and what not.. i think that's a cop out.. you have to be able to score to win.. it is, after all, the primary objective - to put that ball through the hoop..

finally, if you really have a good handle, then it should be easier to shoot.. it's all about ball control, whether you're passing, dribbling or shooting.. if you can't shoot in gyms, which is pretty weird, maybe you should pick another sport.. preferably outdoor..

Answer 2

It sounds like youre trying too hard. Focus on your all-around game and everything will improve together. 4 assists is good.

As for being the best point guard...point guards arent supposed to score. They should control the tempo, run the offense, have a high assist to turnover ratio, but theyre never the first scoring option. Allen Iverson, for example, isnt a true point. He's a scorer. He struggles when he has to run the point, and he's more comfortable when he plays as the two-guard, off the ball. Hence the title "shooting guard." Of course, college and NBA ball is probably very different from middle school.

So if you really want to score, dont force it. It's simple to say, but it's true. The more you force shots up, the more frustrated you'll get. At your age you should focus on playing with the team, heck, you should do that at every age. Think about it this way...you're getting 4 assists a game meaning youre getting the ball to your teammates allowing them to score. Maybe the reason why youre not scoring so much is because you dont have a teammate like yourself who can feed you the ball for easy baskets.

Answer 3

Well, FYI, point guards are supposed to pass the ball, and shoot so keep trying!! Point guards are basiclly the whole of the team. They pass the ball to the people who shoot!!! Just pass the ball where it is needed and it will work out!!! You will get your chance. Point guards never score more than post players...but they do score. You'll know when you should be able to shoot, you'll get that feeling!! If your getting mad that you don't score enough, maybe you should start thinking about more of the team. What's better for team??!??!?!!! It not about how many you score, but about how many the TEAM scores!!! People always say you can't be a one-man team, and I have proof to show it!! I knew a team of boys who one of the guys whould be a ball hog and he told the coach he could beat the rest of the team by himself and the coach said, "ok". The one-man guy started driblling down the court and then the coach blew the whistle. the kid was llike "Why'd you blow the whistle?". The coach said, "You can't just dribble down the court, who threw the ball into you?" What he meant by that is that a player has to throw the ball in to another player from out of bounce. See, you can't play be yourself!!! Just do whatever you can for the good of the team, not yourself!!!

Answer 4

Couple things you might want to look at:

1. You said you can't shoot so don't shoot outside shots. The closer you get to the basket the better the chance of you making the shot. Practice making shots from inside the key like layups on the left and right side, put backs under the basket, and little floaters and jumpers in the middle.

2. Try not to do too many things. If you going for a layup just lay it up. Don't need to do a Jordan reverse.

3. Try to draw contact in the lane when you drive. You will get sent to the free throw line. Judging by your 0.4 scoring average even sinking one free throw will more than double it. If you can't make free throws you better practice them.

4. When you shoot make sure you square up to the basket and are not doing stuff like fading away.

Answer 5

As a guard I would say find a sweet spot I have one and i score at least 5 points a game, once you find that spot you only need to shoot to score.

Answer 6

You're a point guard - your job this year is to learn how to get the ball to the right people underneath. Once you've got that "down pat", then you can focus a little more on scoring. Be sure you learn to penetrate and "kick" the ball out to people on the wings - they will return the favor when you're open.

Answer 7

As a point guard, your assists are what matter most.

How are you trying to score? Don't settle for jump shots; drive the ball to the hoop and go up strong for a layup. You may draw a foul, or the defense may converge on you, making for a perfect passing opportunity.

How often are you trying to score? Focus on good shot selection (open shots and layups) and the points will come.

Answer 8

im a pg on a middle school team. it really depends what kind of offense you run. if you run a rotating motin that puts everybody in different spots then you should get shots off. otherwise either crossover and drive or call for a pick and try to spot up for a jumper.

Answer 9

your never gonna score if u dont shoot when u get the ball have a plan on whats the best way your gonna score and do it ..you'll miss 100% of the shots u dont take

Answer 10

same thing happened to me, only im power forward
i realize when i really stopped worrying about scoring, i scored the most. when you keep telling yourself in the game "i really wanna score" you get desperate and only care about points.. if you compare it to yourself playing in the park, you wouldnt care if you scored or not, right?