Expert: David Kenward - 1/11/2008

Question
Hello,

 I have been playing basketball for a long time now, and I have had this big problem ever since I started playing. Everytime I play basketball with people that I know, and people that are better than me, I choke. I am afraid of what they are going to say afterwards. I don't wanna look bad in front of them. Whenever I feel these pressures, my game drops drastically. I am afraid to try my hardest for some reason. I'm not going to lie, when I don't have these pressures on me, I am a really good player. I also need to know how to drive strong for lay ups. How can I be confident out there? How can I avoid these pressures? I wanna become a better player, I wanna be able to play against good people and keep up with them without choking. Plying with really good people is the best way to get better. Can you help me out?

Answer
Hello A.J.

This happens with a lot of athletes.  If it doesn't matter that much, than you are relaxed, and a relaxed player always does better.  By relaxed, I mean an absence of excess stress and tension.  Since you DO play well when you are feeling comfortable, than what you want is to feel comfortable when under pressure (people you know, people who are better than you).  You want to build a habit, so when you step out on the court you always play your best.

Mental training can really help with this.  Here's one way that works.  Sit down, relax, take five slow deep breaths, then picture or imagine your best game, playing well and aggressive with people you are comfortable with.  Your imagination is powerful, really get into it so you feel as confident and powerful as you did on the court.  Then, choose a word or gesture that you link to that feeling (like the word SUCCESS or the gesture of pumping your fist.  Practice this (a lot) and what will happen is when you play people you don't know or aren't comfortable with, you say your word or do your gesture, and you WILL feel that confidence. This may sound simple, but since we learn by association (it's how our brain is wired), now you are doing it on purpose.  

I've taught this tool to many basketball players, it WORKS.

Good luck and let me know how it goes.

David

David Kenward, The Mental Coach
Sacramento, California
http://www.thementalcoach.com/mental-training.html
Win the Mental Game: Perform better under pressure in any sport
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