Galen Harkness • June 25, 2025
You Say You Want to Be Good… But Are You Training Like It?
We hear it all the time from players:
We hear it all the time from players:
“I want to get better.”
“I want to start next season.”
“I want to play in high school or college.”
But when we ask what they’re doing outside of team practice or games, the answer usually sounds like:
“Well… not much right now.”
“I shoot around a little.”
“I’m busy with games.”
This is where the gap is.
Most players say they want to be good.
But few are doing the kind of consistent, focused training that actually helps them improve.
For players:
If you’re in 6th to 11th grade and serious about basketball, here’s the truth:
Skills don’t just show up. You have to build them with smart reps.
Confidence isn’t a mindset trick. It comes from doing the work over and over until you trust yourself in games.
Game results don’t come from games. They come from the work you put in when no one’s watching.
You might think you're too busy, or you’re already working hard. But ask yourself honestly:
Are you training with purpose, on a schedule, and with coaching that pushes you?
If not, you're leaving your growth up to chance.
And chance doesn't win spots, earn minutes, or build confidence.
For parents:
It’s easy to think that “just playing” is enough. That club practices, school games, or workouts here and there will get your son or daughter where they want to go.
But development doesn’t happen on autopilot.
And game time isn’t teaching your athlete the details — it’s testing what they’ve trained.
If your child wants to play high school varsity, contribute in games, or compete at the next level… they need consistent training. The earlier they start, the better prepared they’ll be when the opportunity comes.
Here's how EYG can help when your player is ready:
We offer 3 ways to support committed players:
Camps/Academies
– Focused training events that build specific skills and mindset over a few days.
Large Group Training
– Like our Committed Skills Academy, for players who want to improve ballhandling, shooting, finishing, and basketball IQ in a competitive environment.
Training Memberships
– For the most serious players ready to train consistently and see real growth. These are for players (and families) willing to commit to a structured path.
If your player is ready to get serious — to stop talking about being good and start training to become it — we’re here.
Explore our training options at www.eygbball.com.
For Training Membership details, email us at galen@eygbball.com
-- Only committed players should inquire.
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.