5 Habits That Can Make Undersized Point Guards Unstoppable

When it comes to basketball, size isn’t everything. For undersized point guards, mastering specific skills and habits can not only level the playing field but also make them truly unstoppable. Jalen Brunson is a perfect example of how an undersized guard can dominate through skill, strategy, and intelligence. Let’s dive into five essential habits that can transform your game and help you create more scoring opportunities for yourself and your teammates.

1. Master the Barkley Move

Named after Charles Barkley, this move is a game-changer for guards who want to maximize their physicality in the post. The Barkley is essentially a guard post-up where you use your strength, patience, and footwork to get to your preferred spot on the floor.

Jalen Brunson excels at this move, using it to:

• Manipulate defenders with deliberate, controlled movements.
• Create high-percentage shots like jump hooks, step-throughs, and fades.
• Draw defenders in and find open teammates, whether they’re cutting to the basket or spotting up for a shot.

For undersized guards, the Barkley move allows you to slow the game down and put defenders at your mercy while leveraging your basketball IQ to make plays.

2. Learn to Love Contact

Basketball is a physical game, and as an undersized guard, you need to embrace contact instead of shying away from it. Guards like Brunson initiate contact rather than avoiding it, giving them control over the play. By hitting first and using techniques like the “rake up,” you can create space, draw fouls, and finish strong at the rim.

Key tips for embracing contact:

• Anticipate defenders reaching and use your body to protect the ball.
• Use contact to maintain your driving line and create angles for finishes.
• Practice finishing through contact with both one and two-foot takeoffs.

3. Decelerate on Your Finishes

One of the most effective tools for scoring in the paint is the ability to decelerate at the right moment. By stopping on a dime, you can throw off defenders’ timing and create the space you need to finish.

Brunson’s deceleration highlights:

• He plants his foot firmly to slow his momentum and gain control.
• He uses changes in cadence to freeze defenders and create open looks.
• His balance allows him to pivot or adjust his shot even under pressure.

Practicing this habit will make your finishes more efficient and give you an edge against quicker or taller defenders.

4. Play Off Two Feet More Often

Playing off two feet in the paint is a foundational skill that Brunson perfected during his time at Villanova. This habit provides stability, balance, and options when attacking the basket.

Benefits of playing off two feet:

• Allows for better decision-making and control in traffic.
• Makes it easier to absorb contact and finish strong.
• Creates opportunities for fakes, pivots, and step-through moves to outsmart defenders.

To incorporate this habit, start each practice with footwork drills that emphasize balance and control on two feet.

5. Perfect Your Paint Pull-Ups

Not every drive will get you all the way to the rim, and that’s where the paint pull-up becomes invaluable. This mid-range tool keeps the defense honest and opens up scoring opportunities when the paint is crowded.

Here’s why the paint pull-up is effective:

• It’s a high-percentage shot when practiced consistently.
• It forces defenders to respect your scoring ability in the mid-range, creating space for other moves.
• It’s a great counter after using physicality in the post or off the dribble.

Focus on getting to the elbows or the middle of the paint for these pull-ups, where you can shoot with balance and precision.

Each of these habits—from the Barkley to paint pull-ups—offers a pathway to becoming an unstoppable point guard, no matter your size. Jalen Brunson’s ability to use these skills effectively is why he’s been so successful against bigger, more athletic players.

If you want to master these habits and take your game to the next level, join us at a PGC summer basketball camp near you. We’ll teach you the techniques, footwork, and mindset you need to become a dynamic and dominant player on the court.

Transform your game by working smarter, playing tougher, and embracing the skills that make undersized guards unstoppable.