When I was a kid, I was always one of the tallest players on the floor. Coaches automatically stuck me at power forward. I spent most of my high school career under the basket, posting up, rebounding, and setting screens. That worked fine…until I got to college.
At 6’3”, suddenly I wasn’t a power forward anymore — I was a guard. And the guards I was up against had been handling the ball, shooting off the dribble, and running offenses for years. I had to play catch-up, and it cost me time and confidence.
That experience changed the way I approached basketball with my own sons. I refused to let height dictate their skill set — and parents, I want the same for you and your athlete.
The Trap of Position Labels
Height today doesn’t equal height tomorrow. Kids grow at different rates. The “big kid” in 6th grade could be average size by 10th grade.
Modern basketball rewards versatility. College and pro coaches want tall players who can dribble, shoot, and defend in space.
Skill gaps are harder to close later. If a player never develops guard skills early, it’s much harder to add them at the next level.
Why I Focused on Guard Skills With My Sons
Because of my own journey, I made guard skills non-negotiable for my boys — no matter how tall they were at the time.
- We drilled ball-handling and perimeter shooting from day one.
- We made sure they could run the offense, not just finish plays.
- We trained them to defend on the perimeter as well as in the paint.
That approach made them more confident, more versatile, and more attractive to college coaches.
Practical Tips for Parents
Don’t let a coach limit your player. Advocate for your child to get reps outside the post. Ask coaches to rotate them into perimeter drills and let them handle the ball.
Start Early with ball-handling & perimeter play. Even if your child is the tallest on the team, prioritize dribbling, passing, shooting off the dribble, and decision-making drills at home.
Find a coach who sees more than height. Look for teams and coaches who are willing to give a tall, younger player playing time at wing or guard positions — not just center or power forward.
Support extra skill work at home. Add regular at-home ball-handling workouts and shooting reps to build comfort on the perimeter.
Encourage small-sided games. 3-on-3 or 4-on-4 formats force all players — including taller ones — to handle the ball, make decisions, and play multiple spots.
Bottom Line for Parents
You never know exactly how tall your athlete will be, but you always know how much skill they can develop. Giving your child guard skills now protects them later, opens more doors, and makes them a more complete player regardless of their eventual position.
Want to see how your athlete’s development stacks up right now? Our free Athlete Readiness Index measures Skill, Physical, Mental, Leadership, and Lifestyle — and compares them to athletes in the same grade band and gender. It’s a quick, practical snapshot to guide your training focus. Take the Benchmark Here
Want a Clear Roadmap for Developing a Complete Player?
Check out our Driveway to D1 Playbooks — built to help athletes develop on-ball skills, perimeter play, and confidence at every age. Get Your Playbook Here