Galen Harkness • January 9, 2026
The 3-Piece Puzzle to Getting Better at Basketball
Most players want to know how to get better at basketball.
The truth is simple—but often misunderstood.
Real basketball development isn’t one thing.
It’s three pieces working together.
Miss one, and progress slows.
Do all three, and improvement accelerates.
1. Basketball Training (Skill + Athletic Development)
Training is where basketball skills are built.
This includes intentional on-court work like:
- Ball handling
- Shooting
- Finishing
- Decision-making
But great players aren’t just skilled.
They’re athletic.
That’s why sports performance training matters:
- Balance
- Start-and-stop ability
- Agility
- Quickness
- Strength
Training is controlled.
Structured.
Purposeful.
This is where players prepare their bodies and skills for games.
2. Playing on a Team (School or Club Basketball)
Team basketball is where skills get tested.
School teams and club teams put players into real game environments:
- Pressure situations
- Game speed decisions
- Coaching and feedback
- Officials, fans, and competition
This is where players learn:
- How to apply skills under pressure
- How to respond to mistakes
- How to compete within a system
Games reveal strengths.
They also reveal weaknesses.
That feedback is essential for growth.
3. Pickup Basketball (Creativity + Competition)
Pickup basketball is where instincts and confidence grow.
Yes—pickup still matters.
Especially when players compete with:
- Older players
- Better players
Pickup helps players:
- Compete naturally
- Create and experiment
- Play without fear
No plays.
No whistles.
Just basketball.
And fun.
The Full Basketball Development Puzzle
No single piece works on its own.
- Training without games lacks context
- Games without training limit improvement
- Pickup without consistency stalls long-term growth
But together?
Basketball Training + Team Games + Pickup Basketball
That’s the formula.
That’s the puzzle.
Players who consistently do all three improve faster—and stay confident doing it.
When You’re Ready to Train Smarter
At EYG, we focus on purposeful basketball training
that transfers directly to games—so team basketball and pickup actually lead to improvement.
If you’re ready to put the full puzzle together, explore our camps and training programs at:
👉 www.eygbball.com
Smart training.
Real improvement.
Every session.
Many high school players succeed on athletic ability alone—but it doesn’t last. Learn why dedication and skill development determine long-term basketball success.
Why Simple Dominates Basketball I like watching NBA clips of individual players. Yes — they are athletic. But that is not what catches my attention. It is how simple they keep the game. One or two dribble moves. Change of speed. Change of direction. Control of pace. They are intelligent with the ball. Fans enjoy highlights and Top-10 plays. But at the highest level, it is simple basketball that dominates games. The Truth Most Players Miss Great players are not doing ten moves. They are doing one move well. Then they read the defense and react. Watch clips of Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard: Change of speed Strong footwork One decisive dribble move Finishing with both hands Nothing complicated. Just efficient basketball. What Players Should Do Instead of Just Watching Watching highlights should not be entertainment only. It should be learning. Pick one thing you notice. Then go work on it. Not ten skills. Not a new move every day. One skill. Repeated with purpose. That is how improvement actually happens. Why This Matters Simple skills win possessions. Simple decisions win games. Players who master the basics move: From bench → starter From starter → best shooter From shooter → leading scorer From high school player → college opportunity The game rewards players who execute simple things at a high level. How EYG Helps At EYG Basketball, we work with players who are ready to work. Players who want real development — not hype. We help athletes build: Ball control Footwork Shooting consistency Game decision-making Confidence through repetition If you are ready to improve, we are ready to help. 👉 View current EYG opportunities: https://app.upperhand.io/customers/165-eyg-basketball/events https://app.upperhand.io/customers/165-eyg-basketball/events
Why making shots changes everything for young players—and how a simple training plan helps them build confidence, earn minutes, and enjoy the game more.