The thing that strikes you about a person of that ilk is the amazing amount of energy and personal pride that they take in their performance. They have a sense of confidence that goes beyond a sense of failure — somehow, the fear of failure can’t inhibit their ability to perform.
Former Bulls Coach Phil Jackson discussing Michael Jordan

 The game of basketball is one full of momentum shifts and scoring streaks. The mentally tough player and team must possess solid basketball confidence to persevere through these momentum changes, and maintain a positive mindset throughout the entire four quarters. Basketball games are won by the team able to adhere to their game plan despite the play of their opponent.

Confidence is the ability to face challenges with a sense of control and belief in your ability to overcome those challenges. The confident player is better equipped to play through adversity and reach their peak physical abilities, resulting in optimal play and contributions to their team.

The team that puts in the hard work necessary for victory gains confidence in that process. Coaches must also understand the importance of creating an atmosphere for players to strengthen their confidence and mental focus in every minute of practice. Certainly drills and plays are critical to effectively beating an opponent, but the mental toughness of a team often is the difference between victory and defeat when all players are exhausted and the final buzzer sounds.

Pat Riley spoke of the power of confidence when he said, “If you get tough mentally, you can get tough physically and overcome fatigue.” The power the mind controls over the body is incredible, especially when the body is tired and weak. The mind regulates the ability to continue at a high level of play, despite the aches and pains crying from the body.

Another legendary coach, Rick Pitino, spoke of the power that hard work has on the development of basketball confidence, “Self-esteem is directly linked to deserving success. You must deserve victory to feel good about yourself.”

When a team knows they have worked hard, put in the gym time, and established a strong mental game of basketball, their basketball confidence grows exponentially as a result. The power stems from the work they put in, and not in focusing on their opponent of whom they have no control. The performance of the self-confident athlete is centered within their inner focus and not influenced by outside circumstances or surroundings.

Learning to develop confidence is critical to the establishment of mental toughness in an athlete. Basketball confidence is crucial to the success of a team when other factors may match up equally with an opponent.

NBA Coach Erik Spoelstra of the back to back Champions Miami Heat offered his outlook when facing the San Antonio Spurs in the recent championship series. “Small things will make a major thing in this series, because talent level is pretty equivalent. And so it’s going to be loose balls, rebounds, execution, guys coming in with confidence, being aggressive, that type of thing. Everybody was fine with it tonight. Wherever the ball ended up, you know, and not getting caught up in an individual ego, but more of a team ego”.

Confidence allows players to reach their best performance in the most pressure, and clutch situations which are the key to victory in any level of play.