Galen Harkness • November 17, 2025
How Payton Pritchard Creates Space & Finishes Under Pressure — 5 Game-Ready Lessons Players Can Use Today
Smart players don’t win with talent. They win with reads, footwork, and separation
That’s why Payton Pritchard is so good.
He knows how to create space, finish around size, and consistently get the shots he wants.
And in these 5 clips, he gives players a masterclass in exactly how to do it.
Let’s break down the lessons — and how players can use them right away.
1️⃣ One Simple Read → One Explosive Finish
Most players overthink.
Pritchard does the opposite.
He reads one thing:
Is the help defender late?
If yes — he goes now.
The sequence:
- Inside-hand attack
- One hard dribble to separate
- Jump out, not up
- Shoulder shields the ball
- High, inside-hand finish
Clean. Simple. Effective.
Players:
Don’t wait for the perfect angle.
Make one read. Attack with purpose. Create your space.
2️⃣ Change of Pace Makes Defenders Panic
Speed doesn’t beat defenders.
Changing speeds does.
Pritchard goes:
Slow → explode.
Then he adds a controlled shoulder bump to create even more space.
The key:
He stays balanced through the bump.
Balance = control.
Control = options.
Options = scoring.
Players:
Master this combo:
slow… explode… bump… finish.
It works at every level.
3️⃣ Strong Handle Beats Strong Defense
When defenders get physical?
Most players lose the ball.
Pritchard uses it against them.
- Tight, protected handle
- Ball in the pocket
- Shoulder + hips create angles
- Absorb contact
- Finish calmly
He doesn’t dribble around pressure.
He dribbles through it.
Players:
Your handle must be strong enough to survive contact.
Not fancy.
Not flashy.
Strong.
4️⃣ Balance Creates Buckets
Footwork creates balance.
Balance creates space.
Space creates scoring opportunities.
Pritchard shows it every possession:
- Wide base
- Sharp stops
- Controlled rhythm
- Balanced rise into the shot
When defenders are off balance…
you’re on the scoreboard.
Players:
Work your base first.
Work your footwork second.
Let the game slow down because your body is under control.
5️⃣ Jump Out, Not Up
This might be the biggest lesson of the entire breakdown.
Most players jump up to finish.
That keeps them right in the defender’s reach.
Pritchard jumps out
— creating space, angle, and separation.
He’s not avoiding contact.
He’s beating it with footwork.
Players:
Don’t jump into contests.
Jump away from the shot-blocker.
Finish with space.
It’s a skill.
It’s a weapon.
And it works.
The Takeaway for Players, Coaches & Parents
Payton Pritchard wins the same way great guards win at every level:
- Smart reads
- Efficient footwork
- Strong handle
- Controlled pace
- Elite balance
- Purposeful finishing angles
None of it is hype.
All of it is learnable.
If you want to improve these same skills…
EYG helps players:
- Build reliable footwork
- Develop game-ready finishing
- Understand spacing and angles
- Play with confidence under pressure
- See progress that actually shows up in games
No hype.
No shortcuts.
Just real improvement — every session.
👉 See upcoming camps & training programs:
https://www.eygbball.com
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
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