“Mental is to the physical as four is to one” – Bob Knight

You have been practicing before today, and you are confident that you are going to win this game. Looking at the other team, you seem to have the physical advantage as well, which boosts your confidence even more. The game starts, and everything is going so well until you miss a shot, then another, and another. You feel lousy for missing the clearly visible opportunities, and you begin to wonder what the coach is thinking. At this moment, you realize that you have totally lost your focus and that your mental game is poor. So, how can you use mental skills to improve your performance on the court?

Always be Alert

Focus, along with teamwork are some of the greatest weapons a team can use to win.

However, it is easy to lose focus and let your thoughts wander to things other than the game.

If, however, you want to stand out, then you have to train your mind against the habit of wandering off, during practice and the game. By focusing your senses on the game at hand, you eventually learn to stay alert, which only plays to your advantage as a player and team.

Be Patient with Yourself

As an athlete that is yearning for a big break, it may be easy to get impatient with yourself and even teammates.

Learning new skills and tactics is not easy, and while two or three may have mastered some skills, others on the team may still be behind.

Understanding skills are not easy; sports psychology for basketball shows that with patience and consistency, anything is achievable on the court. If the team is disciplined, it is only a matter of time before their skill set is on another level.

Think About the Solutions, Not Problems

If you have ever been in the scenario highlighted in the first paragraph, then you may understand how easy it is to be consumed by the obstacles you face as a player. It is, however, essential to understanding that dwelling on your shortcomings is not a solution.

The solution to your problems lies in your dedication to improving. The sooner you start working, the sooner you will progress.

Instead of dwelling on the problems and shortcomings you have, practice and look for creative solutions.

Have a Positive Mindset

Having a positive mindset helps you avoid negative thoughts that take every opportunity to creep in and shatter your confidence as a basketball player.

Your mental game in basketball determines whether you play well or not.

Learning to push aside negative thoughts and welcome positive ones requires time and patience. This means that you have to learn how to speak positively to yourself and learn techniques such as breathing and imagery to help you cope with tough situations and maintain your focus.

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