Galen Harkness • September 15, 2024

Mastering Both Hands and Both Feet: Unlocking Your Full Potential

Basketball is a game of twos. Two hands. Two feet.

Basketball is a game of twos. Two hands. Two feet. The best players can dribble, finish, and stop with either foot or hand, making them unpredictable and tough to defend. Players who can master both sides of their body elevate their game to a new level. Here’s how you can do the same.


1. Balance Your Game


Why It Matters

Being one-sided makes you predictable. Defenders can easily push you into uncomfortable spots if you only rely on your dominant hand or foot. But when you can attack from both sides, you keep them guessing and create more scoring opportunities.


How to Develop It

- Spend time finishing with both hands during every practice. Focus on your weaker hand until it feels as natural as your strong hand.

- Work on stopping off either foot, so you can pivot and finish in control, no matter which way the defense forces you.


2. Read the Defense


Why It Matters

Great players don’t just focus on the defender in front of them. They learn to read all the defenders on the court. Whether it's the help defender, the screener’s defender, or the secondary rotations, being aware of their positioning helps you make smarter decisions.


How to Develop It

- Practice slow-paced drills that require you to make reads and decisions based on the positioning of multiple defenders.

- Study game film to see how defenders react in different situations. Learn to anticipate where they’ll move and where you’ll have open space.


3. Finish with Both Feet


Why It Matters

Being able to stop and finish off either foot gives you control and balance, helping you avoid getting blocked or called for a charge. Players who can jump off either foot are harder to predict and more versatile finishers.


How to Develop It 

- During finishing drills, alternate between jumping off your left and right foot. Practice both footwork and balance to get comfortable finishing from any angle.

- Incorporate floaters and pull-up shots using both feet to create balance in your offensive game.


4. Build Versatility


Why It Matters

A versatile player is an unpredictable player. The more skills you master—whether it’s finishing with either hand, stopping off either foot, or reading defenders—the harder it will be for anyone to stop you.


How to Develop It 

- In every practice, push yourself to use both sides of your body. If you’re more comfortable driving one direction, force yourself to work on the opposite side until it becomes second nature.

- Challenge yourself with different types of finishes, like reverse layups or pull-up jumpers, using both hands and both feet.


Conclusion


Mastering both hands and feet isn’t about showing off—it’s about being ready for any situation on the court. With time and consistent practice, you’ll develop the balance, control, and versatility that makes you an unstoppable player.


EYG Basketball can help you train these skills and take your game to the next level. For more details and to see how we teach these concepts, check out our video clip and sign up for our next training session.


EYG Basketball

[Visit Us](https://www.eygbball.com)


Let’s work together to help you unlock your full potential.

Jumping Up vs. Jumping Out: Two Finishes Every Undersized Player Needs

By Galen Harkness • June 9, 2025
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.

In, Out & Up: 3 Places to Look with the Ball

By Galen Harkness • June 9, 2025
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.

Train Like a Pro This Summer: Lessons from Caitlin Clark’s Offseason

By Galen Harkness • May 14, 2025
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
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