About David Kenward Expertise Questions relating to the mental game - when you do well in practice but make mistakes in
competition and when you want to perform better under pressure. This includes overcoming accident-related fears.
Experience As the mental coach I solve performance problems in competition and help people perform better under pressure in any sport. I work with the mental game, using a variety of analytical and mental training tools. My background includes sports competition, the medical field and business world.
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Arts, California State University, Sacramento.
Specialized training in Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) and Hypnosis for Sports.
Past/Present Clients Amateur, school, semi-pro and professional sports competitors in a wide variety of sports. I work with children and adults.
Question Hi my name is taj am 16 yrs old, I love basketball, I have been playing it since I was 7 yrs old. I love everything about the sport, but it seems basketball has rejected me, no matter how much I try, am not good like the the good kids I play 'OK' NOT BAD OR GOOD BUT OK. I have lost most of my self esteem not being able to perform like a good player I love the game so much I cant stop thinking about it. Today one of the best senior players in my school told me am the worst player. That sucks because I really admired the guy as a player, I felt embarassed as he told it front of my peers. Am only 5'7 should I stop playing basketball and give up something I cherished my entire life. I think I should. If you could give me a possible solution I'll be greatful.
Answer Hello Taj
The first thing I'd suggest is getting out pencil and paper and writing down what you want. Make it specific. You say you want to perform like a good player. Exactly WHAT does that mean? You've been playing basketball a long time, maybe now it's time to get focused on exactly how you want to play and decide if that is realistic.
For example, I know someone who likes to play baseball but their hand/eye coordination isn't good enough to hit a fastball. So they switched to slow pitch softball. They told me that they have a lot more fun with a lot less pressure and have stopped beating themselves up over what they can't do. I know someone else who couldn't play football well enough to make the team so they volunteered to help the coach. That way they could still be a part of the sport. So, you have lots of options to still be involved in basketball, even if you don't play on the team.
Talk to the coaches as well. They can help you a lot, especially if they believe you are motivated, will work hard and will do what they say.
Good luck and let me know how it goes.
David
David Kenward, The Mental Coach
Sacramento, California http://www.thementalcoach.com
Win the Mental Game: Perform better under pressure in any sport
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