Galen Harkness • January 6, 2026
Competition Creates Struggle
And That’s the Point.
Every player wants competition.
Until it punches back.
Here’s the truth most players don’t hear enough:
If you compete, you will struggle.
Not sometimes.
Every time.
That struggle isn’t a flaw in the system.
It is the system.
And what separates players isn’t talent.
It’s how they respond when things get hard.
Struggle Isn’t the Problem
Your response is.
Great programs don’t avoid adversity.
They expect it.
Bill Walsh believed excellence came from how you handled the moments that weren’t going your way.
Basketball is no different.
Missed shots.
Bad games.
Tough coaching.
Losses that sting.
None of those define you.
Your response does.
Five Things Players Must Do to Play Better
These aren’t motivational quotes.
They’re habits.
1. Expect Mistakes
Perfection is not an option in basketball.
You will miss.
You will mess up.
You will get yelled at.
That’s part of the deal.
The mistake isn’t the danger.
Letting it steal your confidence is.
2. Stop Looking Back
Dwelling kills performance.
Replay the miss long enough to learn.
Then move on.
Looking backward slows development.
And hesitation shows up on film.
3. Recover the Right Way
Bad game?
Tough loss?
Good.
Feel it.
Study it.
Learn from it.
Then get back to work.
Growth doesn’t happen by avoiding pain.
It happens by using it.
4. Get Back Up and Compete
Struggle should push you forward.
Not sideways.
Not backward.
Let it fuel your next rep.
Your next workout.
Your next game.
Compete again.
5. Prepare for What’s Next
Don’t hope it goes better next time.
Prepare so it does.
- Shoot more shots
- Get extra finishing reps
- Study game film
- Understand the situations that keep showing up
Focus on the fix.
The solution.
The plan.
Then execute.
And Just As Important…
Don’t Do These
These habits destroy players faster than any defender.
- Don’t ask, “Why is this happening to me?”
- Don’t look for sympathy
- Don’t complain
- Stop accepting apologies—start accepting responsibility
- Don’t point fingers
It’s not their fault.
It’s your opportunity.
The Big Idea
Competition creates pressure.
Pressure reveals habits.
And habits decide outcomes.
You don’t control every bounce.
You don’t control every call.
You don’t control every result.
But you always
control your response.
That’s where real development lives.
And if you commit to that…
The score takes care of itself.
When You’re Ready to Do the Work
Reading helps.
Understanding matters.
But improvement still comes from doing.
That’s where structure matters.
At EYG Basketball, we work with players who:
- Want to compete
- Are willing to struggle
- Care about getting better
- Understand that growth takes reps, not excuses
Our training and camps are built to:
- Reinforce confidence after mistakes
- Teach players how to respond under pressure
- Create game-like situations that challenge decision-making
- Develop habits that carry over to real games
No shortcuts.
No hype.
Just purposeful work.
If you’re a player ready to commit…
A parent looking for real development…
Or a coach who values growth over excuses…
You can learn more here:
EYG Basketball
Current Training & Camps
When the time is right, we’ll be here.
Many high school players succeed on athletic ability alone—but it doesn’t last. Learn why dedication and skill development determine long-term basketball success.
Why Simple Dominates Basketball I like watching NBA clips of individual players. Yes — they are athletic. But that is not what catches my attention. It is how simple they keep the game. One or two dribble moves. Change of speed. Change of direction. Control of pace. They are intelligent with the ball. Fans enjoy highlights and Top-10 plays. But at the highest level, it is simple basketball that dominates games. The Truth Most Players Miss Great players are not doing ten moves. They are doing one move well. Then they read the defense and react. Watch clips of Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard: Change of speed Strong footwork One decisive dribble move Finishing with both hands Nothing complicated. Just efficient basketball. What Players Should Do Instead of Just Watching Watching highlights should not be entertainment only. It should be learning. Pick one thing you notice. Then go work on it. Not ten skills. Not a new move every day. One skill. Repeated with purpose. That is how improvement actually happens. Why This Matters Simple skills win possessions. Simple decisions win games. Players who master the basics move: From bench → starter From starter → best shooter From shooter → leading scorer From high school player → college opportunity The game rewards players who execute simple things at a high level. How EYG Helps At EYG Basketball, we work with players who are ready to work. Players who want real development — not hype. We help athletes build: Ball control Footwork Shooting consistency Game decision-making Confidence through repetition If you are ready to improve, we are ready to help. 👉 View current EYG opportunities: https://app.upperhand.io/customers/165-eyg-basketball/events https://app.upperhand.io/customers/165-eyg-basketball/events
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