Galen Harkness • March 12, 2024

The Journey to Excellence: Embracing the Challenges of Basketball

As basketball players, your journey is filled with challenges and opportunities.

As basketball players, your journey is filled with challenges and opportunities. At EYG Basketball, we recognize the hard work and dedication required to excel on the court. This blog post is designed to support you through your journey, offering insights and actionable steps to improve your skills, basketball IQ, and mental toughness.


Understanding the Journey


The journey to becoming a great basketball player is not linear. It involves ups and downs, successes, and setbacks. But remember, every challenge you face is an opportunity to grow and improve. Embrace each moment on this journey, whether it's a tough practice, a lost game, or a personal milestone. These experiences are building blocks towards your ultimate goal.


Continuous Improvement


In basketball, as in life, there is always room for improvement. Be humble enough to acknowledge your weaknesses and brave enough to work on them. Set specific, measurable goals for your skills development, whether it's improving your shooting accuracy, enhancing your defensive abilities, or increasing your court awareness. Dedicate time each day to focus on these areas. Remember, small, consistent efforts lead to significant improvements over time.


Basketball IQ: Think the Game


Understanding the game is as important as physical skills. Enhance your basketball IQ by studying the game. Watch professional matches, analyze player movements, and understand different strategies. Learn to anticipate your opponent's moves and make quick, smart decisions on the court. This mental aspect of the game can set you apart from your competitors.


Mental Toughness and Confidence


Mental toughness and confidence are crucial to your success as a basketball player. Confidence comes from preparation and hard work. Believe in your skills and your journey. However, stay humble and open to coaching; this balance will make you a stronger player and teammate.


Mental toughness means staying focused and positive, even when things don't go as planned. Learn from your mistakes and setbacks without letting them define you. Embrace challenges as they come, and maintain a positive attitude. This resilience will not only help you in basketball but in all areas of life.


Enjoyment: The Heart of the Game


Remember why you started playing basketball in the first place. Keep that joy and passion alive, even through the challenges. Enjoying the journey is crucial; it's what keeps you going during tough times. Celebrate your successes, no matter how small, and enjoy the process of becoming the best player you can be.


Making Plays for Teammates and Coaches


Basketball is a team sport, and your growth as a player should also contribute to the betterment of your team. Be the player who makes plays for others, not just yourself. Understand your role in the team and how you can best contribute to its success. A good player is also a good teammate, one who lifts others up and contributes to a positive, supportive team environment.


Actionable Steps to Take Today


1. Set specific skill-improvement goals for the week and track your progress.

2. Spend at least 30 minutes each day studying high school, college, or professional games or player techniques.

3. Reflect on your mental attitude during practices and games. Identify areas for improvement.

4. After each practice or game, write down what you learned and how you can apply it next time.

5. Engage in team-building activities to strengthen your relationships with teammates.

6. Practice mindfulness or visualization techniques to enhance your focus and mental clarity.


Conclusion


Your journey in basketball is unique and filled with invaluable lessons. By focusing on continuous improvement, enhancing your basketball IQ, building mental toughness, and remembering to enjoy the process, you are setting yourself up for success. At EYG Basketball, we are here to support you every step of the way. Embrace the journey, face challenges with determination, and always strive to be a better player and teammate. Remember, greatness is a journey, not a destination. Let's make every step count.


Keep pushing forward, keep growing, and never lose sight of your love for the game.


When Basketball Players are Ready, there are two ways EYG can help:


1. Training: Our specialized training programs are designed to meet you where you're at and push you to the next level. Whether you're working on shooting, dribbling, defense, or overall game strategy, our expert coaches are here to guide you every step of the way. Dive deeper into our training opportunities and see how we can tailor our sessions to your needs by visiting [EYG Training](https://www.eygbball.com/eyg-training).


2. Camps: Looking for a more immersive experience? Our camps provide an excellent opportunity to hone your skills, meet other players, and immerse yourself in basketball. We offer a range of camps that cater to different age groups and skill levels, ensuring that there's a perfect fit for everyone. Learn more about our upcoming camps and how to register by visiting [EYG Camps](https://www.eygbball.com/eyg-camps).

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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