Guard

/ɡɑːrd/
[ g-ah-rd ]

Definition of Guard

In basketball, a guard is a player mainly responsible for offensive plays and defending against opponents.

What is a Guard?

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In basketball, a guard is one of the five player positions. They are often divided into two categories: point guards and shooting guards. Point guards usually have the best ball-handling skills and vision on the team, often responsible for setting up plays and distributing the ball. Shooting guards are typically the team’s best shooters and are positioned on the wing. The guard position is crucial in both offensive and defensive plays; they have to create scoring opportunities for their team, and defensively, they must be agile enough to guard the opponents' best perimeter players.

Examples of how to use the basketball term Guard

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  1. The team's guard made a fantastic play, setting up the forward for an easy basket.
  2. The coach is moving him to play guard to make better use of his quickness and shooting ability.
  3. As a guard, he's responsible for leading the offense and defending against the best perimeter players.

Guard Strategy Tips

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As a Guard, always work on improving your passing and shooting skills. On defense, anticipation and quick footwork are key to successfully guarding your man.
Basketball Terminology

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Learn essential basketball terminology with definitions, pronunciations and the meaning of each word in layman's terms.

What does Guard mean in Basketball?

In basketball, a guard is a player who is primarily responsible for offensive plays, like setting up scoring chances and distributing the ball, and defending against the opposing team's perimeter players.

How would you explain Guard in layman's terms?

In simple terms, a guard in basketball is a player who helps lead the team's offence by passing the ball and setting up game plays. They also must defend their team’s basket from opposing players.

What are the types of Guards in basketball?

There are two main types of Guards in basketball; the Point Guard and the Shooting Guard. Point Guards typically have exceptional ball-handling and passing skills, while Shooting Guards are often the team's best long-distance shooters.

What skills should a good Guard have?

A good Guard should have excellent ball handling and passing abilities, and they should also be good long-range shooters. On the defensive end, they need to be quick and athletic to effectively guard opposing players.

Do Guards score a lot in basketball games?

Yes, Guards often score a significant amount of points in basketball games. Their ability to handle the ball and shoot from distance frequently even makes them the highest scorers on their team.

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