Galen Harkness • June 9, 2025
Jumping Up vs. Jumping Out: Two Finishes Every Undersized Player Needs
At EYG Basketball, we train players to play smarter and finish stronger.
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
A strong team culture doesn’t start with talent. A strong team culture doesn’t start with talent. It starts with trust. When Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland said: “Players are feeling they can contribute every night, that everyone has a role, and that hard work is rewarded. Doesn’t matter who you are.” He wasn’t just describing a successful locker room. He was describing the culture every coach should strive to create. Why This Mindset Matters 1. It Builds Trust Players know opportunity isn’t based on politics—it’s earned. That creates belief in the system. 2. It Drives Consistent Effort When effort is noticed and rewarded, players show up, work hard, and grow. 3. It Elevates Everyone Rewarding hustle over hype raises the standard. Effort becomes contagious. 4. It Keeps Coaches Honest You have to coach with clarity and consistency. No favorites. No fluff. Just earned roles. 5. It Prepares Players for Life Hard work matters beyond basketball. Teaching that lesson is part of your job. A Challenge for Coaches Ask yourself: Do your players know what it takes to earn trust? Do they believe effort will actually lead to opportunity? Are you rewarding the right things? If the answer is no, you still have time to change that. Make your program one where hard work is the standard—regardless of status. It will unlock your team’s potential. Want More Players Who Work Hard and Get Better? Whenever you're ready, here are 3 ways EYG Basketball can help: 1. Committed Skills Academy Train up to 2x per week. Focused 90-minute workouts on ballhandling, shooting, finishing, and playmaking. Affordable, flexible, and consistent. 2. EYG Basketball Camps Summer camps across Superior, Northglenn, and Longmont. Open to rec and competitive players. Check our homepage for dates and details. 3. Training Memberships 3-month minimum. For serious, coachable players who want to get out of their comfort zone and grow. Coaches—we’re here to help your players improve so they can perform better for you. Explore all options at eygbball.com