Galen Harkness • February 12, 2024

3 Benefits of Mastering Essential Basketball Skills

Here are 3 benefits, 2 tips, and 1 quote to help players play better.

1. Moving Without the Basketball

   - Enhances team dynamics and offensive flow.

   - Creates scoring opportunities through smart positioning and exploiting defensive gaps.


2. Playing Off Two Feet

   - Increases balance and control, enabling more powerful and precise shots.

   - Improves decision-making by giving you an extra moment to pass, shoot, or dribble effectively.


3.1. Moving Without the Basketball

  - Enhances team dynamics and offensive flow.

  - Creates scoring opportunities through smart positioning and exploiting defensive gaps.


2. Playing Off Two Feet

  - Increases balance and control, enabling more powerful and precise shots.

  - Improves decision-making by giving you an extra moment to pass, shoot, or dribble effectively.


3. Flexibility and All-Round Skills

- Makes you more flexible and useful on the court, helping you beat defenders and fit in with any team play.

- Ups your game value and makes it harder for the other team to stop you.


2 Teaching Points


1. For Moving Without the Basketball:

  - Constant Motion: Always keep moving to distract defenders and open passing lanes. Use cuts, screens, and quick changes of direction.

  - Spatial Awareness: Understand the court's space. Position yourself where you can be a threat without the ball and be ready to receive a pass.


2. For Playing Off Two Feet:

  - Practice Jump Stops: Incorporate jump stops into your drills to enhance balance. This move allows you to pivot and face the basket for various play options.

  - Shot Fakes & Pass Fakes: Use these fakes to your advantage. They can create space and make your decision-making process more straightforward when playing off two feet.


1 Inspirational Quote


Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard." Tim Notke


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Keep pushing, keep playing, and let every practice take you one step closer to your dreams. Remember, the game is as much about the mind as it is about the body. Play smart, work hard, and dream big!


šŸ€ Stay motivated and elevate your game! šŸ€

What Players Can Learn from Dominique Malonga

By Galen Harkness • September 15, 2025
At 19 years old, Dominique Malonga was the youngest player drafted in the WNBA when the Seattle Storm picked her No. 2 overall. With her size, skill, and potential, she was called a “unicorn.” But her rookie season didn’t start with highlight reels. It started on the bench. For most of the first half of the season, she barely played. Frustrating? Absolutely. But instead of being negative, Malonga stayed ready. She studied veterans like Nneka Ogwumike, clapped for her teammates, and asked constant questions. She turned frustration into fuel. By midseason, the patience and hard work paid off. Malonga became the youngest player in league history to reach 300 points and record back-to-back double-doubles. Suddenly, Seattle’s playoff hopes rested on the same rookie who was once just watching from the bench. So, what can players learn from Malonga? Patience and persistence matter. Success isn’t instant—stay consistent. Learn from the best. Watch, listen, and apply what veterans do. Confidence comes from work. She built belief through preparation. Energy is everything. Even before she played big minutes, her attitude lifted her team. Work > hype. Being called a star means nothing if you don’t put in the reps. Malonga’s story is a reminder: greatness is built day by day. Talent opens the door, but work, mindset, and resilience keep you in the room. At EYG Basketball, we help players do exactly that. Whether it’s skill development, game IQ, or building the habits that matter, our programs prepare you for your moment—on and off the court. šŸ‘‰ Ready to grow? Explore EYG Programs Original ESPN article link
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