Galen Harkness • September 20, 2024

Why Parent Coaches are Valuable—but Need Proper Training

Parent coaches are the backbone of many youth sports programs. Their passion and dedication to their children are undeniable, and they often volunteer with the best intentions. But being well-meaning isn’t always enough. To truly help young athletes reach their full potential, parent coaches must seek out training and resources to coach effectively.

Parent coaches are the backbone of many youth sports programs. Their passion and dedication to their children are undeniable, and they often volunteer with the best intentions. But being well-meaning isn’t always enough. To truly help young athletes reach their full potential, parent coaches must seek out training and resources to coach effectively.


Why Parent Coaches Are Important:


- Dedication: Parent coaches often bring unmatched energy and commitment to the teams they coach. They show up, invest time, and genuinely want to see the kids succeed.


- Relatability: As parents, they often have a unique connection with the kids, understanding their emotions and challenges.


- Role Models: Kids look up to their parents, and when parents coach, it can strengthen the bond between family and sports.


The Gaps Parent Coaches Face:


- Lack of Formal Training: Many parent coaches haven't received formal coaching education, which can lead to gaps in teaching techniques, strategy, and player development.


- Limited Experience: While many parents played sports in their youth, coaching demands a different skill set—understanding how to teach, motivate, and manage young athletes, each with unique needs.


- Unintentional Bad Habits: Without proper training, well-meaning parents may teach improper techniques or fail to focus on the critical fundamentals of the game, which can hinder player growth in the long run.


Why Training is Essential:


- Player Development: Youth athletes need guidance from coaches who understand how to teach the game correctly. Proper training helps parent coaches equip players with essential skills, keeping them motivated.


- Building Confidence: When coaches are well-prepared, they bring confidence to practices and games. Players sense this, and it positively affects their development and trust in the process.


- Setting the Right Example: By seeking training, parent coaches model the importance of lifelong learning and growth—teaching their athletes that being a great coach, like being a great player, requires a commitment to learning.


How to Get Started:


- Seek Out Coaching Clinics: Many local organizations offer coaching clinics where parent coaches can learn the basics of the sport, coaching methods.


- Use Online Resources: There are countless resources available online for parents who want to learn the fundamentals of coaching, from strategy to communication.


- Mentor with Experienced Coaches: Learning from more experienced coaches can be a great way to improve. Shadowing them at practices or games can give parent coaches insights into what works.


Conclusion:


Parent coaches are a critical part of youth sports, but to be their best, they need the proper training and support. By taking the time to invest in their development, they not only help the players improve but also set an example for their kids—showing that even the coach can always learn more.


How Can EYG Help?


We will be leading a coaching class in the near future. Reach out if you have questions: galen@eygbball.com

Jumping Up vs. Jumping Out: Two Finishes Every Undersized Player Needs

By Galen Harkness • June 9, 2025
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.

In, Out & Up: 3 Places to Look with the Ball

By Galen Harkness • June 9, 2025
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.

Train Like a Pro This Summer: Lessons from Caitlin Clark’s Offseason

By Galen Harkness • May 14, 2025
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
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