“Ask not what your teammates can do for you. Ask what you can do for your teammates”. Magic Johnson

The final minutes of any basketball game is as tense as they are crucial.

The losing side and their fans resort to underhand methods to break the concentration of the winning team. This calls for a serious focus on the part of all players.

It is, therefore, important that the winning side block all distractions and fix their mind only on the game.

To achieve this high level of focus which is needed in basketball, the player should do the following:

• Avoid overthinking during the game
• Try and overcome fear
• Relax and take a deep breath
• Take control of your zone

Pressure and Focus

Psychologists have shown that when your mind is relaxed, your body also relaxes. The same goes for tension.

When you are on the court, you must play naturally and avoid overthinking.

A player who is mentally prepared will not be afraid of failure and will, therefore, perform to his peak.

Sport psychology for basketball suggests that players who control themselves well when under pressure perform better.

Tips to help you Improve your Focus and Perform under Pressure

 Preparation. Remember to prepare well before the game. The famous coach Joe Paterno emphasizes that “The will to win is important, but the will to prepare is vital.”
 Positive self-talk. You must psyche yourself up during the game, as this might be all the motivation you sometimes have as a player.
 Avoid distraction. Know what is essential to focus on and focus on that at all times.
 Awareness. Having both the mental and physical awareness when playing is a great tool that players can use to their advantage.

The Importance of Mental Game Coaching

Mental game coaching harnesses the strengths of the player’s mental performance and physical abilities. The mental game coach assists the players in increasing their basketball mental toughness to achieve control over what happens during the competition.

Players can only be in control if the mind and body are in sync. This will increase concentration and help achieve victory.

A successful regime includes the following aspects to improve your mental game in basketball

• Goal Setting
• Relaxation
• Visualization
• Self-talk.

The skills above are mental tools you can use to improve your game and reach optimal performance in basketball and life.

Download the free mental game assessment and get started on Improving your Mental Game in Basketball.