The importance of sports psychology in basketball is not only imperative to develop an athlete’s basketball mental toughness for the game, but also necessary for effectively dealing with the emotions following an injury and throughout recovery. Any athlete facing an injury severe enough to affect their play must also deal with the accompanying emotions associated with recovery. Basketball psychology proposes that any athlete recuperating from an injury must deal with reactive emotions, contemplative emotions and also the critical issues of the physical healing.
After the initial injury, sports psychologists claim the player experiences strong reactive emotions such as anxiety and fear, and later may become confused or even embarrassed as they process their pain. It is important that those involved with coaching and rehabilitation immediately address these negative emotions before they gain any significance of the player’s thoughts.
The mental game of basketball requires players to maintain strong, positive mindset, and this can be destroyed with one injury. Sports psychology in basketball addresses the reactive and contemplative emotions as soon as possible, channeling the player’s thoughts into a strong physical recovery and return to the hardwood. As the player addresses physical issues such as pain control, and lack of sleep, it is also imperative that all others involved in the recovery process to listen earnestly and keep the mental focus positive and strong. When the player expresses fears, apprehension, and pressure it builds their basketball mental toughness to acknowledge the feelings and then redirect their thoughts toward the recovery process.
Depending on the extent of the injury, the rehabilitation and recovery process varies in length. The player may react with frustration that “it’s taking too long”, or contemplate a pessimistic mindset that “I’ll never get better”. Again, it is important for those involved with the process to listen and allow the player to vent their emotions, rather than suppressing which later causes more negativity.
Basketball psychology promotes the idea of visualization to shorten the recuperation time, and strengthen a player’s mindset for the return to the game. As the athlete is working through rehab procedures such as ice baths or stretches, improve their mental game by visualizing their comeback. In addition they should visualize their injury healing and their ability not only being the same as prior, but surpassing their ability pre injury. This exercise builds a basketball mental toughness by training the brain to incorporate a positive thought process rather than idly daydreaming while participating in mundane recovery activities.
Critical issues that must also be addressed during this time can also deal with social isolation, motivation, and even substance use. Too many times these athletes are somewhat forgotten to their rehab exercises and feel a distinct loss of identity from their team. Sports psychology in basketball pushes the importance to include these injured athlete’s in team activities to maintain a positive mental mindset which eventually will lead to a mentally strong athlete when they return.
When the athlete returns to the court, basketball psychology promotes addressing any doubts or anxiety about their play, especially fear of re-injury. When the athlete suppresses these emotions without reframing to a positive mindset, the result is typically less productive play. This can often escalate into a destructive negative cycle of poor performance, with a weaker, more negative thought process, and can even result in re-injury.
The player must reassess their physical strength and address any pain issues, but strengthen their mind to visualize perfect play. This is a great time to develop a personal mantra that keeps their thoughts positive and on the court, not disjointed or on imagined fears and doubts. Simply work with the athlete to create a slogan, similar to Nike’s “Just Do It. Anything personal and short that can be written on a wristband, or posted in a locker improves the overall basketball mental toughness of the returning athlete.
The road for any injured basketball player from recovery to the court is full of obstacles. It is critical to the eventual athletic success for the athlete to maintain a strong basketball mental toughness during the rehabilitation of the injury. The player experiences both reactive and contemplative emotions, along with their critical physical issues experienced during recovery, and all these hurdles must be overcome for an optimal return to play. Understanding the basketball psychology along this process gives those surrounding the player an opportunity to offer both mental and physical support creating a positive frame of mind, decreasing the recovery time, and improving the level of success upon return to the court.
