Expert: David Kenward - 12/13/2007

Question
Hi David,
I am 16.5 years old have a problem in my self confidence.Ι'm not a bad basketball player,and last year i had an average of 20 points per game.However this year that I play in the adolescents' team I am afraid of making any efforts for the basket.My teammates are of bigger quality than those of  last year,but I have scored many beautiful baskets but I cant score more than 5 points per game due to my fear.Stupid isn't it?

PS:i wonder that,if I wear an arm sleeve I would be ridiculous?(I live in Greece and i havent seen more than 1-2 people wear one,but my palms have always sweat and mostly i like arm sleeves very much)

Answer
Hello Gio

First, feeling pressure during competition is not stupid at all, it's very common and happens to a lot of people.  I help people solve problems like this every day in my office.

You are going to do great for several reasons.  First, you've had the success last year of an average of 20 points per game, so you know you can do that.  This year, you are scoring many baskets in practice so you know you can make baskets.  So the problem is not your shooting, it's how you feel about playing against better players than last year.

BUT, you've forgotten something really important.

YOU ARE BETTER THIS YEAR, TOO!

You are looking at this year's players who are better than last year's players, and you are thinking that you are still 15.5 years old.  But, you are a year older and a MUCH better player than you were last year.  You're just not letting yourself be as good as you can be.

Here's a mental training tool that can help you.  Get relaxed, close your eyes, and take five slow deep breaths.  Then, picture or imagine a game where you scored lots of points, when you felt confident.  Notice what you see, hear and feel.  Notice the confidence when you take the shot and make your beautiful basket.  That's your key, the beautiful basket, in fact, the word BEAUTIFUL is now your power word.  Imagine shooting a basket, and as it drops say BEAUTIFUL to yourself.  Let the scene fade and do it again.  By doing this you link the feeling of confidence of shooting beautiful baskets with a power word.  This is how our brain works, now you are using it on purpose.  Keep practicing this until when you say the word BEAUTIFUL you feel that confidence.  Then you can start doing it in practice, saying your power word before taking a shot, and noticing that the confidence helps you make the basket.  Then you are ready to start using it during games.  I've used this tool with 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
Win the Mental Game: Perform better under pressure in any sport