Galen Harkness • June 23, 2025
How Paige Bueckers Scores in the Midrange: 5 Footwork Moves Players Can Learn
The midrange jumper isn’t flashy—but it can help win games.
The midrange jumper isn’t flashy—but it wins games.
It’s a weapon when defenders take away the rim and the three.
And Paige Bueckers? She’s a master of it.
We broke down 6 clips of Paige scoring from midrange.
What stood out wasn’t just her shot.
It was her footwork.
Great footwork gives you balance, control, and space.
It helps you make shots. It helps you make plays.
Here are 5 different ways Paige used her feet to get open.
1. Off the Catch – Step Hop
She catches the ball and hops into her shot in one smooth motion.
This helps her get balanced and shoot quickly.
Why it matters: It’s fast. It works when you don’t have time to set up.
2. Hop into the Shot – Ball in the Air, Feet in the Air
Before the ball even gets to her, she’s in the air, ready to land and shoot.
This move is about timing and rhythm.
Why it matters: It helps you stay in rhythm and shoot on time.
3. Reverse Pivot
She catches, reads the defender, and uses a reverse pivot to face up.
Now she’s squared up and ready.
Why it matters: It helps you create space and stay calm under pressure.
4 & 5. 1-2 Step or Stride Stop
She drives hard, then plants her feet—right-left or left-right—into her shot.
Why it matters: It gives you balance and helps you stop on a dime.
6. Step into a Hop – Off the Dribble
She uses a step, then hops into her jumper. It’s smooth and quick.
Why it matters: It helps you go from dribble to shot without losing rhythm.
What Can Players Learn?
Footwork is a skill. You can practice it. You can master it.
Different moves work in different spots. Learn them all.
It’s not about being flashy. It’s about being balanced and in control.
What Can Coaches and Parents Do?
Teach kids how to stop, pivot, and shoot—not just run and gun.
Watch film with them. Ask: “How did she create space here?”
Help players try one new footwork move each week.
Final Thought:
You don’t have to play like Paige Bueckers to learn from her.
Watch. Learn. Practice.
Great players aren’t just born.
They build their game one skill at a time.
Want to Improve Even More? EYG Can Help.
If you’re ready to grow your game, EYG offers three ways to help players take the next step:
Camps
– High-energy, focused sessions to develop essential basketball skills.
Large Group Training
– Like our Committed Skills Academy, where players train weekly with structure, feedback, and intensity.
Training Memberships
– These are for serious and committed players who are ready to invest time and effort to improve over the long term.
Camps and group training opportunities can be found at www.eygbball.com.
To learn more about Training Memberships, email us directly at galen@eygbball.com.
These are for dedicated players who want to train consistently and develop high-level habits.
Extra training is one of the best ways to grow your basketball IQ, sharpen your skills, and build the confidence to play your best in games.
Whenever you're ready, we're here to guide the next step in your development.
Few actually decide to do what it takes. Every Gym Has This Two types of players. You’ve seen it. You might even know which one you are. Side 1 — The Complainers They talk about: The refs Their playing time Missed shots Bad courts Coaches There’s always something. And to be fair… some of it is real. But none of it helps them get better. Side 2 — The Workers They’re different. They: Stay after Get extra shots Ask questions Listen to coaching Fix mistakes They don’t ignore problems. They attack them. Same Gym. Same Situation. Different results. That’s the part most players miss. You don’t need a better team. You don’t need a better coach. You don’t need perfect conditions. You need a better response. What This Looks Like Bad call? Complain… or sprint back. Missed shots? Blame it… or fix your feet and get reps tomorrow. Not playing much? Get frustrated… or earn trust in practice. Slippery court? Make excuses… or adjust and play stronger. Here’s The Truth Your future as a player is decided early. Not by talent. By how you respond. The Players Who Improve They walk into the gym already decided: “I’m going to figure this out.” So when things go wrong… They don’t look around. They go to work. The Players Who Stay The Same They walk in thinking: “This isn’t fair.” And every bad call… Every missed shot… Every tough moment… Just proves them right. That’s The Difference Same gym. Same opportunities. Different mindset. Different outcome. What We See At EYG The players who improve the most aren’t always the most talented. They’re the ones who: Take coaching Stay consistent Work when it’s hard Show up ready They pick the right side. Over and over again. The Question Next practice. Next game. Next workout. Which side are you on? Because that decision shows up in your results.
Every player compares. They compare stats. They compare teams. They compare offers. They compare playing time. They compare skill level. And most of the time… They compare at the worst possible moment. A player sees someone score 25. Another makes varsity early. Someone gets attention online. Someone gets recruited first. Suddenly it feels like you are behind. But here is the truth most players don’t want to hear. They are not ahead. They are just further along their path. Basketball development is not a race. It is a long process that compounds over time. Some players grow early. Some players grow later. Some players get opportunities early. Some players earn them through years of work. The scoreboard you see right now is only a snapshot. It does not predict who you will become. What actually determines your future is much simpler. Work. Skill is not given. Confidence is not given. Game performance is not given. They are built. Through training. Through repetition. Through failure. Through consistency. Through time. Too many players spend their energy watching others. The best players spend their energy building themselves. You cannot control another player’s timeline. You cannot control another player’s opportunity. But you can control: How often you train. How focused you are when you train. How you respond to mistakes. How consistent you stay. How long you are willing to commit to improvement. Most players want results. Few players are willing to live in the process long enough to earn them. Comparison steals joy. But more importantly, comparison steals focus. And when focus disappears, development stops. The players who improve the most are not always the most talented. They are the most consistent. They show up when others don’t. They work when others watch. They stay patient when others quit. So instead of asking: “Why are they ahead?” Ask: “What am I willing to do to improve?” Then go to work. If you are a player who is ready to train with purpose, EYG Basketball provides structured, focused training designed to help you improve the skills that matter most in real games. Learn more at: 👉 www.eygbball.com
Youth basketball players develop at different speeds. Learn why comparison slows growth and how focusing on your own development leads to long-term success.