Galen Harkness • October 21, 2023
The Winning Edge: Unleash Your Basketball Potential with Persistence
There is greatness in each player.
The Winning Edge: Unleash Your Basketball Potential with Persistence
#4 October 28th
4-minute read
In the world of basketball, persistence isn't just a trait; it's the secret sauce to success. It's the unwavering determination, the relentless pursuit of improvement, and the refusal to be discouraged. Today, we dive deep into the power of persistence and how it can transform you into a formidable player on the court.
Stay consistent and be persistent
The Benefits of Being Persistent:
Achieve Your Full Potential: When you stay persistent, you unlock your hidden potential. Every missed shot, every setback becomes an opportunity for growth. Be the player who never gives up, and watch as you evolve into a true game-changer.
Rise Above Adversity: Life on the court isn't always smooth sailing. Challenges and obstacles are part of the game. But with persistence, you can turn adversity into your ally. Embrace the grind, thrive under pressure, and emerge victorious.
Earn the Title of Champion: Persistence is the bridge between dreams and reality. It's the path to championships and accolades. When you persistently chase your basketball dreams, success will meet you halfway. Be the champion you were born to be.
Tips to Develop Your Persistence:
- Set Clear Goals: To be persistent, you need a clear vision of what you're working towards. Set specific, measurable goals for your basketball journey. Whether it's improving your shooting percentage or becoming a better defender, having clear goals fuels your persistence.
- Embrace the Grind: Persistence thrives in the face of hard work. Accept that the road to success is filled with challenges and setbacks. Rather than letting them deter you, let them fuel your desire to improve. Turn every practice into an opportunity to showcase your persistence.
- Stay Positive and Focused: Basketball, like life, has its ups and downs. Maintain a positive mindset and unwavering focus on your goals. Remember that success isn't always immediate, but the journey is just as important as the destination.
Take Action Now:
- Goal-Setting: Take a moment to define your basketball goals. Write them down, and make sure they're specific and measurable. Whether it's mastering a new move or making the starting lineup, having clear goals will keep you on track.
- Embrace Challenges: The next time you face a setback or a tough practice, remember that it's an opportunity to showcase your persistence. Embrace the challenge, push through, and watch how you grow.
- Positive Mindset: Start each practice and game with a positive mindset. Visualize your success, stay focused on your goals, and remind yourself that every step you take brings you closer to victory.
Persistence is the key to unlocking your basketball potential. By setting clear goals, embracing the grind, and maintaining a positive mindset, you'll become the player you've always aspired to be. So, lace up your sneakers, hit the court, and let your persistence pave the way to success.
Stay persistent, stay dedicated, and watch your basketball journey flourish.
Keep practicing, keep pushing, and most importantly, believe in yourself.
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