Galen Harkness • December 18, 2023
Mastering the Art of Assists: Elevate Your Game with These Pro Tips
In basketball, assists aren't just about passing the ball
In basketball, assists aren't just about passing the ball; they're a testament to a player's vision, skill, and team spirit. Inspired by an NBA game featuring an impressive 15 assists, let's explore how you can elevate your assist game.
The Value of Being a Willing Passer:
- Build Team Chemistry: Understand that passing is a two-way street. It's about creating opportunities for your teammates and enhancing the overall team play.
- Action Steps:
- Practice different passing techniques – chest pass, bounce pass, overhead pass – in various game situations.
- During scrimmages, consciously decide to pass more and observe the team dynamics.
The Power of Vision - Looking Up the Court:
- Benefit: Improves your ability to make quick, effective decisions and spot open teammates.
- Action Steps:
- During practice, focus on keeping your head up and scanning the court.
- Use drills that involve decision-making under pressure to simulate game scenarios.
Navigating the Paint with Skill and Patience:
- Advantages: Being able to penetrate the paint with control can dismantle defenses and create scoring opportunities.
- Action Steps:
- Work on dribbling drills that emphasize agility and control in tight spaces.
- Practice patience in the paint; use drills that require you to hold your position before making a play.
Fostering a Team-First Attitude:
- Benefits: Encourages a more cohesive and effective team unit.
- Action Steps:
- Celebrate your teammates’ successes in games and practice. This builds morale and team spirit.
- Actively look for opportunities to assist rather than score, especially during practice games.
Conclusion:
Improving your assist game is about more than just passing skills; it’s about developing a comprehensive understanding of the game, honing your technical abilities, and nurturing a team-first mindset. Remember, every great assist is a step towards not just personal improvement but also towards building a stronger, more cohesive team.
Final Tip:
Watch professional games, not just for entertainment, but as a study tool. Analyze how top players make their assists, their positioning, and decision-making. Try to emulate these in your practice sessions.
See Video Below
When a player is ready their are 3 ways EYG can help:
1. Training
2. Camps
3. Newsletter
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
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