Galen Harkness • November 15, 2025
Embracing Discomfort: The Fastest Way to Grow in Basketball
I spent the weekend learning to do something new.
I spent the weekend learning to do something new.
It was awkward. Unfamiliar. Kinda scary.
But something clicked: This is exactly how basketball players feel when we ask them to try something new.
When a player works on weak-hand finishes…
Tries a new shooting footwork pattern…
Or plays in a higher-level game…
They don’t always look smooth.
But that discomfort?
That’s the signal they’re growing.
If you want to score more in games or gain confidence with the ball, you’ve got to spend time in those “stretch zones.”
This is where real improvement happens—where you challenge old habits and build new ones.
At EYG, we help 3rd–11th grade players grow through structured training programs that build skill, IQ, and confidence.
Our clinics, workouts, and transformation programs create:
- Game-ready footwork
- Reliable shooting mechanics
- Real-time scoring reps
- A mindset that embraces growth
👉 Want to take your next step?
Join our next camp, clinic, or training block https://app.upperhand.io/customers/165-eyg-basketball/events
Middle school basketball is where players separate through habits, buy-in, effort, and mindset. This blog gives players a blueprint for rising this season.
High school players succeed through standards, habits, and leadership—not talent alone. This blog shows how to elevate your season and become the player your team needs.
In basketball — and in life — emotions often beat teams more than their opponents do. The price of admission for championship-level performance isn’t talent, size, or even skill. It’s the ability to stay present. The Oklahoma City Thunder live by this. Their championship rings are engraved with “0–0 Mentality.” It’s more than a slogan. It’s a mindset: no matter what happened yesterday, and no matter what’s ahead — the score is always 0–0. That mentality keeps them grounded. Keeps them focused. Keeps them competing in the moment. Why the Present Matters When players start thinking about the future — “What if we win?” — or dwell on the past — “I missed my last shot” — they lose control of what they can actually influence: the next possession . You can see it in how OKC plays. They don’t play the score. They play possessions. They don’t chase stats. They chase standards. They train this discipline daily — one rep, one drill, one decision at a time. It’s not flashy. It’s not emotional. But it builds something powerful: consistency . The EYG Way At EYG, we teach this same principle. Whether it’s a 3rd grader learning to dribble or a high school player chasing a roster spot, the goal is the same — stay locked into the moment right in front of you. That means: Don’t rush the process. Don’t replay the mistake. Don’t drift into the “what ifs.” Just do the next thing well. The players who learn to focus on this rep, this drill, this shot, are the ones who grow faster, play freer, and perform better when it matters most. How to Train Presence Being present isn’t natural — it’s trained. Here’s how we build it into our workouts and mindset training: Reset after every rep . Miss or make, move on. Focus on controllables. Effort, attitude, and attention. Start every session at 0–0. Yesterday doesn’t count. End each session reflecting on what you did well — not just what went wrong. Over time, this mindset compounds. You start to control your emotions instead of being controlled by them. Final Thought When the game’s on the line, pressure doesn’t decide who wins — presence does. The players who can breathe, focus, and compete in the moment… are the ones who keep stacking success, one possession at a time. At EYG, that’s what we train for — to stay grounded, stay focused, and keep the score 0–0 . How EYG Basketball Can Help Our training programs are built around teaching focus, discipline, and game-ready confidence — not just drills. If your son or daughter wants to improve their skills and their mindset, explore our upcoming programs at eygbball.com. Every rep has a purpose. Every session builds belief. Every player learns to play — and live — with a 0–0 mentality.