Galen Harkness • December 11, 2023
How to Elevate Your Basketball Game: Mastering the Key Elements of Success
Basketball, a game of skill, strategy, and determination, is a sport that captures the hearts of many young athletes.
How to Elevate Your Basketball Game: Mastering the Key Elements of Success
Basketball, a game of skill, strategy, and determination, is a sport that captures the hearts of many young athletes. At EYG Basketball, we understand the passion and drive that brings players to the court. We’re committed to helping you not only meet but surpass your basketball aspirations. Whether you're in 6th grade or preparing for college, mastering certain elements can significantly enhance your game, making you an invaluable team player.
#1. The Art of Hustle: More Than Just Playing the Game
Hustle plays a pivotal role in basketball. It's about showing relentless effort in chasing loose balls, securing rebounds, and being persistently involved in the game. Here's how you can incorporate hustle into your routine:
- Practice Drills: Include drills in your training that mimic game scenarios, such as chasing down loose balls or boxing out for rebounds.
- Mindset Training: Develop a mindset where every ball is yours to claim. Believe that you can reach it first, and more often than not, you will.
- Conditioning: Improve your stamina and agility through targeted physical training. The fitter you are, the longer you can maintain high-intensity hustle.
# 2. The Power of Passing: Creating Opportunities
Good passing is a skill that energizes your team and disarms opponents. To enhance your passing skills:
- Vision Training: Work on expanding your court vision. Practice recognizing open teammates and predicting their movements.
- Pass Variety: Learn and practice different types of passes – chest pass, bounce pass, overhead pass – to become a versatile playmaker.
- Team Chemistry: Spend time playing with your team to understand each player’s strengths and tendencies.
# 3. Defense: Your Secret Weapon
Being a solid defender makes you indispensable. Focus on these areas to up your defense game:
- Footwork Drills: Quick, agile footwork is crucial for effective defense. Practice lateral movements and quick direction changes.
- Anticipation Skills: Learn to read the offense. Anticipate passes and shots, which will improve your ability to disrupt plays.
- Team Defense Concepts: Understand team defensive strategies like help-side defense and rotation. Being in the right spot at the right time is key.
# Benefits of Mastering These Skills
- Increased Playing Time: Coaches value players who contribute consistently. Mastering these skills makes you a more attractive option for more game time.
- Team Success: These skills directly contribute to your team's performance. A good pass, hustle play, or defensive stop can change the momentum of the game.
- Personal Growth: Developing these skills will not only make you a better player but also teach valuable life lessons in teamwork, dedication, and resilience.
# Actionable Steps to Get There
1. Set Specific Goals: Identify which of these areas you need to work on and set specific, measurable goals.
2. Dedicated Practice: Incorporate drills focusing on these skills into your regular practice routine.
3. Seek Feedback: Regularly ask coaches or trainers for feedback on your progress and areas for improvement.
4. Watch and Learn: Study professional players who excel in these areas. Observe their techniques and try to emulate them.
In conclusion, basketball is more than just scoring points. It's about being an all-around player who contributes to the team in various ways. By focusing on hustle, passing, and defense, you not only enhance your game but also increase your value to the team. Remember, at EYG Basketball, we believe in purposeful hard work. Dedicate yourself to these aspects of the game, and watch how they transform not just your playing style, but also your approach to the game and life. Keep practicing, stay focused, and most importantly, enjoy every moment on the court!
When players are ready there are 3 ways EYG can help:
1. Training
2. Camps
3. Newsletter
At EYG Basketball, we train players to play smarter and finish stronger. If you’re under 6'4", you can’t rely on size alone at the rim—you need solutions. Two of the most important: jumping up and jumping out. Why This Matters The game gives you different looks at the rim. Great players know how to read the help defense and choose the right finish. These two options help you avoid blocked shots, keep defenders guessing, and finish through or around contact. What’s the Difference? Jumping Up Happens closer to the rim Follows a bump, shot fake, or pump fake Uses power, balance, and verticality Creates space by initiating contact with the inside shoulder Effective when you’ve already earned position Jumping Out Happens earlier, before the shot blocker fully rotates Uses speed and quickness off one foot Avoids contact by getting the ball on the glass fast Useful when you don’t have time or space to absorb contact In the video examples, you’ll see both finishes. Watch how the offensive player creates space, reads the defenders, and chooses the finish that fits the moment. How to Train These Finishes Jumping Up Work on shot fakes, shoulder bumps, and strong two-foot finishes Focus on balance and lift Practice against contact or padded defenders Jumping Out Practice one-foot takeoffs Use floaters, scoop layups, and high glass finishes Rep it with a rotating help defender to train timing What to Watch For How the offensive player creates space Where the help defense is The timing and angle of the finish Whether it’s a contact finish or an avoidance finish Final Thought from EYG We don’t teach generic moves. We teach game decisions. Knowing when to jump up or jump out is the difference between getting blocked and getting buckets. If you want to finish like a high-level guard, this skill set is non-negotiable.
Places for Basketball Players to Look—and Why 🎥 Clips of the Week What’s Happening: Three game clips show players making passes that lead to scores by: Looking In – Inside the paint to find cutters Kicking Out – To perimeter shooters Passing Up – The floor in transition Why It Matters: Great decision-makers scan all three zones—In, Out, & Up—to find the best option. This habit leads to smarter decisions, better shots, and more team success. Who Can Learn From It: Guards, wings, and any player who handles the ball. Learning to scan in these three directions keeps pressure on defenses and opens up opportunities. https://youtu.be/Ec1RWcIYnqw?si=NfmzLwPkWZ-KuanX Don’t just see the game. Scan it. 🛠️ How to Apply This Players: As you dribble or catch, train your eyes to scan: In – Cutters and post mismatches Out – Perimeter shooters and spacing Up – Rim and teammates in transition Build the habit. Clip it. Study it. Rep it. 👋 Final Note This one decision-making pattern—In, Out & Up—can shift how you play. It’s not flashy. It’s just smart basketball. Thanks for being here. Let’s keep learning. Let’s Play Smarter. Elevate Your Game.
Summer is the season where real growth happens. Summer is the season where real growth happens. For serious high school basketball players, this isn’t the time to coast. It’s the time to separate yourself. If you want to take your game to the next level, take a page from WNBA star Caitlin Clark’s offseason playbook. Here’s what she focused on—and how you can apply it this summer: 1. Get Stronger to Play Stronger The game only gets more physical at higher levels. Caitlin Clark used her offseason to build strength so she could handle contact, maintain her balance, and stay efficient even when tired. You can do the same: Bodyweight strength work like pushups, squats, lunges, and planks builds a powerful base. Core strength helps you finish through contact and protect the ball under pressure. Strong legs = better defense, more explosiveness, and more consistency in your shot. This summer, commit to strength training 2–3 days per week. 2. Recovery Is Part of Training Recovery is not just for pros—it’s what allows you to train hard again the next day. Clark’s offseason wasn’t just about grinding—it was about taking care of her body with sleep, nutrition, hydration, stretching, and downtime. What does recovery look like for you? Go to bed early. Drink water throughout the day. Take time to stretch, roll out, and cool down. Don’t train yourself into the ground—train to be consistent. Recovery helps you show up every day with energy and focus. 3. Work on Game-Specific Skills Clark didn’t just shoot 1,000 shots a day. She trained the shots she actually takes in games: pull-ups, deep threes, quick releases, contact finishes, tight handle under pressure. This is where most players fall short—they train skills in perfect settings instead of game situations. This summer: Add contact to finishing drills. Practice handling under pressure, not just cones. Get game-speed reps on your shot. Compete in 1v1, 2v2, 3v3 as much as you can. Your training should look like the game you want to play. 4. Put It All Together Clark’s offseason success wasn’t magic—it was a smart, consistent plan. She got stronger. She recovered with purpose. She trained her game with intensity. You can do the same. Strength builds your body. Recovery protects it. Skill work sharpens your game. This summer, train with a purpose—not just sweat, but skill. Final Thought: The offseason is where players are made. The ones who train smart, recover well, and stay consistent will come back in the fall stronger, sharper, and more confident. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to keep showing up and doing the work. Whenever you're ready, here are 3 ways EYG Basketball can help you this summer: Committed Skills Academy – Weekly high-level skills training for players who want consistent work on ball-handling, finishing, shooting, and playmaking. Summer Camps – Fun, challenging, and competitive camps in Superior, Northglenn, and Longmont. 1v1 to 3v3 play every day. Training Memberships – Serious about your game? Memberships are for players who want more. Train 2–3 times per week with a structured plan and coaching. Check out all our summer training options at www.eygbball.com