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.
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.