“If the mind can conceive it and the heart can believe it – then I can achieve it” Muhammad Ali

Affirmations are the practice of positive statements that empowers you to have confidence on and off the court.

More specifically, it is a carefully formatted “I am” statement that should be written down and repeated quite often.

For affirmations to be effective, they must be written and said in the present tense, be positive, personal and specific.

Having a positive mental attitude while saying affirmations will help you achieve success.

Affirmations are a great tool to help athletes during practice and games. Moreover, affirmations, according to basketball psychology can help athletes play better in the games.

How to Write an Affirmation

Writing affirmations does not have to be a difficult task. Below, I have simplified the process for you.

• Write short affirmations as they are easy to remember.
• The best affirmations start with “I am.” Use these words at the beginning of your statements.
• Generate affirmations that will work for you.
• You may use affirmations you have heard or read, and you can change existing affirmations and make them specific to you.
• Ensure your affirmations do not contain the words need and want. Instead, affirm that you are grateful for having achieved your goals.

How Affirmations Improve Performance

Affirmations raise the confidence of athletes; which in turn improves the way they perform on the court.

Affirmations are a great way to eradicate frustrations and doubt before a game and practice; which helps mental awareness and better teamwork.

Affirmations help improve basketball mental toughness as affirmations help erase negative thoughts from the mind.

When You Should Say Affirmations

Affirmations should be said any time a negative thought or doubt enters your mind. Saying affirmations before games give players the will to play better no matter what happens.

Affirmations can also be useful when said before practice. When said before practice, players can get closer to their objectives, focus better and they are more able to transfer the skills to the game.

Players and coaches who say affirmations as part of their routine before a game have a higher rate of success.

The mind is key to winning.

It is, therefore, important that players learn the positive effect that affirmations can have on their game, implement it, and use it on a regular basis.

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