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.
I spent the weekend learning to do something new. It was awkward. Unfamiliar. Kinda scary. But something clicked: This is exactly how basketball players feel when we ask them to try something new. When a player works on weak-hand finishes… Tries a new shooting footwork pattern… Or plays in a higher-level game… They don’t always look smooth. But that discomfort? That’s the signal they’re growing. If you want to score more in games or gain confidence with the ball, you’ve got to spend time in those “stretch zones.” This is where real improvement happens—where you challenge old habits and build new ones. At EYG, we help 3rd–11th grade players grow through structured training programs that build skill, IQ, and confidence. Our clinics, workouts, and transformation programs create: Game-ready footwork Reliable shooting mechanics Real-time scoring reps A mindset that embraces growth 👉 Want to take your next step? Join our next camp, clinic, or training block https://app.upperhand.io/customers/165-eyg-basketball/events
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