Galen Harkness • July 5, 2023
Unlocking Your Potential: Extra Skills Training and Individual Player Development
Extra Skills Training and Player Development
Are you a high school basketball player with dreams of achieving greatness on the court? With the right combination of hard work, dedication, and focused training, you can transform your game and move closer to realizing your aspirations. Extra skills training and individual player development provide you with the opportunity to hone your abilities and reach new heights as a basketball player.
Setting Goals:
The first step towards success is setting clear and achievable goals. Take the time to identify what you want to accomplish as a basketball player. Whether it's improving your shooting accuracy, becoming a better defender, or enhancing your overall court vision, having specific objectives will help you focus your efforts and measure your progress.
Skill Development:
Extra skills training allows you to fine-tune different aspects of your game. Work closely with experienced coaches and trainers who can guide you through drills and exercises tailored to your needs. By dedicating extra time to mastering fundamental skills such as dribbling, shooting, passing, and footwork, you'll build a solid foundation that will set you apart from your competition.
Individualized Coaching:
Every player is unique, and personalized coaching is essential for unlocking your full potential. Seek out a skilled and knowledgeable coach who understands your strengths and weaknesses. Through individualized attention and feedback, they can help you refine your technique, correct any flaws in your game, and provide valuable insights that will elevate your performance.
Mental Toughness:
Basketball is not just a physical game; it also requires mental toughness and resilience. Developing a strong mindset is crucial for overcoming challenges, setbacks, and pressure situations. Incorporate mental exercises into your training regimen, such as visualization, positive self-talk, and goal setting. Strengthening your mental game will enable you to stay focused, maintain confidence, and perform at your best when it matters most.
Conditioning and Fitness:
To excel on the basketball court, you must be physically prepared. Regular conditioning and fitness training are vital for building endurance, agility, and strength. Incorporate a well-rounded workout routine that includes cardio exercises, strength training, and flexibility drills. By improving your physical fitness, you'll have the energy and stamina to play at a high level throughout the game and stay injury-free.
Conclusion:
By embracing extra skills training and individual player development, you are taking crucial steps towards reaching your dreams as a basketball player. With dedication, perseverance, and the guidance of experienced coaches, you can transform your skills, elevate your performance, and make significant strides towards achieving success. Remember, no dream is too big when you have the drive and commitment to make it a reality. So lace up your sneakers, hit the court, and let your passion for the game propel you towards greatness. The future awaits, and with the right training, it's yours to conquer.
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