Direct Selection Secret

If you're having trouble getting the Direct Selection tool (A) to select only one individual point, here are two "secrets" to success. (1) Make sure nothing is selected by either clicking away from any object or by pressing Command-Shift-A (PC: Control-Shift-A). (2) If you click on the fill of an object, the Direct Selection tool will act just like the Selection tool. So, make sure no anchor points are selected, and then position your mouse over one anchor point and click.