Galen Harkness • July 12, 2023
Scoring Efficiently: Mastering the 3-Dribble Rule in Basketball
In the world of basketball, players constantly strive to enhance their skills and contribute to their team's success.
In the world of basketball, players constantly strive to enhance their skills and contribute to their team's success. One essential aspect of the game is scoring efficiently, which involves utilizing a limited number of dribbles to execute effective shots. By mastering the art of scoring with three dribbles or fewer, hard-working basketball players can elevate their performance and propel their teams toward achieving greatness.
Quick Decision-Making:
Scoring with three dribbles or fewer requires players to make swift decisions on the court. By limiting dribbles, players must analyze the defense, identify scoring opportunities, and act decisively. This skill enhances their basketball IQ, allowing them to adapt and exploit defensive weaknesses efficiently.
Fluid Ball Movement:
Utilizing fewer dribbles promotes fluid ball movement, creating opportunities for seamless teamwork and enhancing the chances of finding open teammates. When players move the ball efficiently, they keep the defense on its toes, forcing opponents to scramble and creating openings for scoring plays.
Effective Time Management:
With a limited number of dribbles, players must utilize their time effectively. By focusing on scoring within three dribbles, basketball players learn to assess the situation, prioritize their actions, and execute with precision. This skill trains players to make the most of their opportunities and maximizes their productivity on the court.
Versatility and Adaptability:
Scoring with three dribbles or fewer encourages players to develop a versatile skill set. They must practice various shot techniques, including pull-ups, floaters, and catch-and-shoot plays. This versatility enables players to adapt to different game situations and defensive strategies, making them valuable assets to their teams.
In conclusion, aspiring basketball players seeking to achieve greatness must embrace the challenge of scoring with three dribbles or fewer. This approach not only enhances their decision-making abilities, but also promotes fluid ball movement, effective time management, and adaptability on the court. By mastering these skills, hard-working players can elevate their game and contribute to their team's success. So, lace up your sneakers, practice diligently, and aspire to become a proficient scorer with three dribbles or fewer. Remember, with dedication and perseverance, you can accomplish big things on the basketball court.
The video below is of Austin Reeves from the Los Angelos Lakers scoring in 3 or less dribbles. The only time he uses more dribbles is to get the ball across half-court. Video clips are provided by bucketlist.fans website.
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