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Basketball Mental Skills Article

Destroying Mental Toughness – The Mike Rice Story

destroying-mental-toughnessA video released through ESPN this week shocked the college world of basketball as Coach Mike Rice of Rutgers depicted both physical and verbal abuse of his players over a span of three years. Coach are called to lead, encourage and develop mental toughness in players, not destroy all self worth with vicious attacks and the rants that Rice displayed.

Rutgers athletic director Tim Pernetti received an outcry from fans, former players, and even the governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie over his decision to fine Rice $50,000 with a three game suspension followed by anger management counseling, back in December when he witnessed the tape. After tremendous pressure he decided to fire Rice on Wednesday.

As a result of the constant abuse and the adverse effects on the players basketball mental game, at least three students transferred to other schools including Lithuanian born Gilvydas Biruta who went on to play for Rhode Island. Biruta reportedly received constant verbal abuse in his two years with the Scarlet Knights, with racial and homophobic slurs the norm.

The video was a montage of misbehavior compiled by former player development coach Erik Murdock, whose contract was not renewed last summer after his complaints about Rice’s behavior. He only released the video to ESPN after he felt Rutgers did not respond appropriately to the allegations against Coach Rice. Murdock felt appalled at the Rice’s complete destruction of his player’s mental toughness, focus and concentration.

The most critical step for Rutgers is to somehow regain faith in their program with the next coach they hire. Current players must feel trust with the new coach and rebuild their mental game for basketball. The administration owes their players to find an effective leader with an understanding of current basketball psychology and agenda that builds faith in each other through encouragement and a positive mindset.

Governor Chris Christie offered this after the firing of Rice; “As we move on from this incident, I am very optimistic that Rutgers will select a new head coach who not only puts a winning team on the court, but will make everyone proud of the example he sets every day for the young men in his charge.”

Hopefully, coaches everywhere see the aftermath of this scandal and always seek positive methods based on sound basketball psychology to motivate their players. Mental toughness is strengthened through dedication and keeping a player’s thoughts believing they are capable of achieving greatness, not constantly in fear of failure.

The coach must establish the program for addressing not only the execution of basketball skills and plays, but also the tone of the team, and the mindset for each individual player. When the coach is unable to control their emotions or behavior, it becomes impossible to motivate players to sustain focus, confidence and build their basketball mental toughness.

The old model of military “building character” thru aggressive behavior is old hat-positive feedback-nurturing is the way. Coach Phil Jackson

Here’s hoping that Rutgers basketball team finds healing and recovery with their next coach.

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