“When I walked into the gym, I fell in love with the game. I didn’t fall in love with it just because it was me playing; I fell in love with it because I’ve got guys like this-Like these guys every single day that push me to be the best I can be”-Kevin Durant

You have been practicing for days on end. The coach has been hard on you. You did not like it, and on some days, you even questioned your love for the game. However, now you are performing well, and you begin to see the significance of your training because your basketball mental toughness has increased. You no longer feel afraid of being on the pitch, and you are more than confident as part of your team.

This is a scenario that is likely to play out in the life of any basketball player who puts their heart and mind into the game.

Below, I highlight the relationship between mental toughness and confidence and how confidence can positively affect your mental game in basketball.

The Relationship between Mental Toughness and Confidence

Mental toughness and confidence are the two qualities that feed off each other.

A mentally tough athlete will have increased confidence over time.

It is, however, important that as an athlete, you realize that your mental toughness and confidence can make or break your career.

It is, therefore, important that you address any issues that may affect these two aspects.

It is only when your mental toughness and confidence are on the same level that you can perform to your optimum.

Mentally tough players can walk into a game and come out victorious.

Sometimes, however, victory is elusive, and they may end up losing. However, because of their confidence, they will not give up and will continuously work to ensure that they recover and stay on top of their game.

How Do these Two Concepts Work to Ensure the Success of an athlete?

When a player is mentally tough and confident, they can relax and go on autopilot.

Being on autopilot mode helps athletes fight the feeling and worry that comes with wondering if they will perform. As such, the player will focus more on elements that they can control.

Basketball psychology states that consistent good performance is a result of mental preparedness and the resulting confidence.

Sports psychology for basketball also says that even if a player is not very skilled or talented, they increase their chances of winning by being confident in their game.

It is, therefore, important for athletes to stay confident in their bid to develop their abilities and to stay on top. Even if a player feels that they are mentally tough, they should remain consistent in trying to develop their abilities. The moment that they begin to falter and they are not doing what they should do to stay mentally tough and confident, their performance is greatly affected.

It is, therefore, vital that both coaches and players remain vigilant to ensure that their teams succeed together.

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