Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships. 

Basketball championships are won not by individual superstars, but rather a team that possesses chemistry and places a strong value on teamwork.  Sports psychology for basketball emphasizes the importance of developing the relationships between the players to strengthen the team’s basketball mental toughness. A team’s ability to communicate effectively and strive for the goals of the group over those of the individual parlays into points on the scoreboard, and ultimately wins in a season.

The legendary Detroit player and coach Dave DeBusschere explains it best, “The best teams have chemistry. They communicate with each other and they sacrifice personal glory for the common goal.”  Basketball psychology promotes the importance of a cohesive team, and offers coaches different methods to build a chemistry and communication among their players.  

A mental game coach builds the framework for strong team chemistry from the very first practice.  It is important to promote procedures that build trust between veteran players and newcomers initially both on the court and also outside the gym.  Pairing younger players with the more experienced ones before the season begins is one method to initiate relationship building. Activities such as team dinners allows for building camaraderie without the pressure of athletic performance.  Some teams participate in adventure, or team strengthening activities such as a ROPES course.  Service projects also build an atmosphere of sacrifice for a greater cause.

The time spent creating trust and solidifying communication pays great dividends for the team’s overall basketball mental toughness.  It is imperative that every team member feel an importance of their role, no matter how small or large that may be.  It is just as critical to appreciate the others on the team for their roles as well.  The coach pushes the mentality that the team is what is important, and not the individual, as the strength lies in the numbers of the team, and not the statistics provided by individual players.  The mental game of basketball is viewed as a crucial component to the development of a championship team.

The mental game coach also promotes team cohesion by focusing on team goals established by the players as a group.  A team slogan created by the players, and then incorporated into team shirts, posters, and pregame rituals helps the team to feel unique with a “we’re in this together” mentality.  Using captains as leaders, but also encouraging younger players and those on the bench to contribute toward the team goals is also necessary and powerful in the development of the mental toughness of the team.  Every player must feel necessary in their role. Whether it is scorer, defender, reliever, or encourager, all are needed and important.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said, “One man can be a crucial ingredient on a team, but one man cannot make a team. 

Building the cohesiveness of a basketball team at any level is just as critical as establishing the defense and learning an offense.  Team chemistry wins championships and creating the atmosphere of an overall “team first” mentality does not occur by accident.  Sports psychology for basketball encourages the conscious effort of coaches to implement practices that improve player relationships while strengthening communication.  The team that cultivates team chemistry builds basketball mental toughness that inevitably promotes better play and more wins.