“I’ve got a long way to go to being the ultimate best, but I think my time is now. And I’m starting to enter my prime”. Kevin Durant

Confidence and dominance can seem like two unrelated components of basketball mental toughness but in reality, they could not possibly be more intertwined.

Sports psychology for basketball holds several truths in regards to mental toughness – it is achieved from within, can be a game-changing factor, and is a learned trait in the mental game of basketball.

The old adage ‘confidence breeds confidence’ is applicable to the court, but is also a lesson to be applied in virtually every arena of life, both on and off the court.

Basketball mental toughness can be defined in a multitude of ways and broken down into several defining characteristics of confidence, but it is important to understand and acknowledge that such confidence is learned in a willing mind that can be trained to use it in all facets of daily living.

True confidence isn’t a one-size fits all trait, but rather an all-encompassing attribute that is the go-to mentality of successful people.

In basketball psychology true confidence results from hours of physical training, on and off-the-court, peer and team-led success, and the triumph of victory.

In life – whether it be education, employment, romance or creative endeavors – the very same principles hold true. Mastery and repetition breeds confidence, and confidence is contagious both to others and to one’s true self.
When confidence is low, whether from defeat, failure, or perceived shortcomings, it is ever-important to return to one’s source of confidence.

In the mental game of basketball that could be the feared outside,-the-three-pointer you know how to hit every time, or even the slick moves that allow you to stutter-step your opponent on the way to laying down the slam dunk above your peers that you knew you could do before you were passed the ball.

Confidence breeds confidence, and trusting your abilities applies equally as much to the basketball court as it does to the classroom before a tough exam: just like the game itself, you know the subject, all of its components, and are familiar with its players and contents. What could possibly deny you of your confidence, in that regard?

Basketball mental toughness allows for more confidence with the greater the number of risks that you take. This is LeBron James storming to the hoop en route to another championship. This is Stephen Curry launching the three-pointer that wins a championship. This is Michael Jordan’s magical lay-up to win the game at the last second.

This confidence in risk allows players to be themselves, the payers that they always are, and not a flimsy reinvention of who they think they need to be in order to compete.

In basketball, the mental game of confidence can be best summarized as less of an all-or-nothing game and more of an evolving and developing game to be embraced and welcomed.

Confidence takes time and repetition, not mere ferocity and an eagerness to win now.

Much like the other aspects of life, the more we try in the moment, the greater the potential for false expectations and disappointment. Harness your inner confidence, build upon it daily. In time, you will reap the rewards of a complete basketball mental toughness.

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