Galen Harkness • July 2, 2025
Why It’s Never Been Easier (or Harder) to Get Better at Basketball
And the 4-Part Blueprint Players Should Follow
We’re living in a strange time for young basketball players.
On one hand, it’s never been easier to get better.
You can find:
- Thousands of drills and workouts online
- Film breakdowns from elite players
- Countless training tips and techniques
But that’s also the problem.
With so much information available, most players don’t know where to start.
They bounce from one workout to the next. They chase highlights. They try random drills from TikTok or YouTube.
The result?
No structure. No system. No real progress.
At EYG Basketball, we’ve worked with thousands of players. We’ve seen the patterns—and more importantly, we’ve built a path that actually works.
Here’s the 4-part blueprint we teach serious players who want to take their game to the next level.
1. Dial In Your Skills Training
The truth? Not all skills are equal.
Shooting—especially catch-and-shoot—is the highest-impact skill you can develop.
Improving even slightly here can drastically change your impact on the floor.
If you're tired of random drills and want focused, purpose-driven training:
👉 Train weekly at our Committed Skills Academy
Designed for middle and high school players who want real growth.
2. Build Strength & Athleticism
Skills are important—but without strength, explosiveness, and physical tools, you’ll always be limited.
Most players lose out simply because they aren’t strong or quick enough to keep up.
We recommend:
- 3–4 weight sessions per week (focusing on big lifts)
- Sprint and jump training 2–3 times per week
- Staying consistent through the offseason
3. Develop High-Level Basketball IQ
This is the secret sauce.
Most players train physically—but struggle mentally during games.
They don’t understand spacing, they don’t read defenders, and they second-guess their decisions.
That’s why we teach our players to watch the game like students.
Take notes. Study film. Ask questions like:
- What decision did that player make?
- Why did it work?
- What would I have done?
- How can I use that in my next game?
We break these concepts down in our small group sessions, camps, and advanced academies.
👉 Check out our Advanced Offensive Skills Academy
A high-level 3-day experience for experienced players looking to sharpen decision-making, shooting, and confidence.
4. Build Unshakable Confidence
Confidence doesn’t come from being perfect.
It comes from doing hard things—failing, learning, and growing.
- Confidence starts with courage.
- Playing against better players.
- Taking big shots.
- Making mistakes—and bouncing back.
This is the kind of confidence we help players build in every EYG program.
How EYG Can Help You Train with Purpose
If you’re tired of guessing… if you’re overwhelmed by advice…
If you’re ready to actually improve with structure, guidance, and accountability—EYG is here.
🔹 Committed Skills Academy
Weekly workouts focused on shooting, ball handling, decision-making, and finishing.
Designed for motivated middle and high school players.
🔹 Essential Skills Camps
High-energy, 3-day camps that build the fundamentals of scoring, footwork, and confidence.
Perfect for 4th–8th grade players.
🔹 Advanced Offensive Skills Academy
Our most advanced training option—teaching shot creation, game IQ, and offensive confidence for experienced 6th–11th graders.
🔹 Essential Skills at Northglenn Rec
Offered through the City of Northglenn—this is a great entry point for young players building foundational skills in a fun, structured environment.
🔹 Training Memberships
For the most serious and dedicated players who want long-term support, consistent coaching, and elite growth.
📩 Email galen@eygbball.com
to apply.
Only for committed athletes willing to show up consistently and do the work.
You Don’t Need More Random Advice.
You Need a System.
If you’re ready to:
✅ Train with purpose
✅ Build skills that show up in games
✅ Grow your confidence and IQ
✅ Be part of a community that holds you accountable
Let’s work.
📩 Or email galen@eygbball.com with any questions.
Few actually decide to do what it takes. Every Gym Has This Two types of players. You’ve seen it. You might even know which one you are. Side 1 — The Complainers They talk about: The refs Their playing time Missed shots Bad courts Coaches There’s always something. And to be fair… some of it is real. But none of it helps them get better. Side 2 — The Workers They’re different. They: Stay after Get extra shots Ask questions Listen to coaching Fix mistakes They don’t ignore problems. They attack them. Same Gym. Same Situation. Different results. That’s the part most players miss. You don’t need a better team. You don’t need a better coach. You don’t need perfect conditions. You need a better response. What This Looks Like Bad call? Complain… or sprint back. Missed shots? Blame it… or fix your feet and get reps tomorrow. Not playing much? Get frustrated… or earn trust in practice. Slippery court? Make excuses… or adjust and play stronger. Here’s The Truth Your future as a player is decided early. Not by talent. By how you respond. The Players Who Improve They walk into the gym already decided: “I’m going to figure this out.” So when things go wrong… They don’t look around. They go to work. The Players Who Stay The Same They walk in thinking: “This isn’t fair.” And every bad call… Every missed shot… Every tough moment… Just proves them right. That’s The Difference Same gym. Same opportunities. Different mindset. Different outcome. What We See At EYG The players who improve the most aren’t always the most talented. They’re the ones who: Take coaching Stay consistent Work when it’s hard Show up ready They pick the right side. Over and over again. The Question Next practice. Next game. Next workout. Which side are you on? Because that decision shows up in your results.
Every player compares. They compare stats. They compare teams. They compare offers. They compare playing time. They compare skill level. And most of the time… They compare at the worst possible moment. A player sees someone score 25. Another makes varsity early. Someone gets attention online. Someone gets recruited first. Suddenly it feels like you are behind. But here is the truth most players don’t want to hear. They are not ahead. They are just further along their path. Basketball development is not a race. It is a long process that compounds over time. Some players grow early. Some players grow later. Some players get opportunities early. Some players earn them through years of work. The scoreboard you see right now is only a snapshot. It does not predict who you will become. What actually determines your future is much simpler. Work. Skill is not given. Confidence is not given. Game performance is not given. They are built. Through training. Through repetition. Through failure. Through consistency. Through time. Too many players spend their energy watching others. The best players spend their energy building themselves. You cannot control another player’s timeline. You cannot control another player’s opportunity. But you can control: How often you train. How focused you are when you train. How you respond to mistakes. How consistent you stay. How long you are willing to commit to improvement. Most players want results. Few players are willing to live in the process long enough to earn them. Comparison steals joy. But more importantly, comparison steals focus. And when focus disappears, development stops. The players who improve the most are not always the most talented. They are the most consistent. They show up when others don’t. They work when others watch. They stay patient when others quit. So instead of asking: “Why are they ahead?” Ask: “What am I willing to do to improve?” Then go to work. If you are a player who is ready to train with purpose, EYG Basketball provides structured, focused training designed to help you improve the skills that matter most in real games. Learn more at: 👉 www.eygbball.com
Youth basketball players develop at different speeds. Learn why comparison slows growth and how focusing on your own development leads to long-term success.