"Game On"
Being Mentally Tough
When It Really Matters
"The proper mind-set and mental conditioning can make anyone tougher than when they started."
Jay Bilas
TOUGHNESS: Developing True Strength On And Off the Court
"...the mentally tough athlete...who has learned to harness the strength of the mind wins every time."
Craig Manning
The Fearless Mind: 5 Essential Steps To Higher Performance
You become a tough competitor by harnessing the mental strength to successfully manage those game-time situations which will challenge your concentration, composure and confidence. It's having the necessary skills to play with focus and intensity, and staying mentally sharp and steady - especially during those critical moments of a game.
So, when does it really matter?
The moment you are outplayed by the opponent.
The moment you see you're behind on the scoreboard.
The moment you are called for a foul or penalty.
The moment you are verbally challenged by the opponent.
The moment you feel overwhelmed.
The moment you question yourself.
The moment you make a mistake.
You must condition your mind to take a negative experience in that critical moment, and respond with a positive and productive approach...allowing you to play up to your potential and not to play down to your fears and worries.
So, what can you do?
(here's a few suggestions)
"Flip The Switch"
After making a mistake on the field or court, a player immediately tells himself that he screwed up or failed. This negative self-talk will create negative feelings (anger,guilt) and often leads to a negative physical reaction (lowering the head, kicking the ground). Then the player begins to label himself as a loser or failure. And these negative thoughts and feelings after the first mistake will then trigger a second mistake. By making a negative judgment call about himself, the player is "kept in the dark". He has lost an opportunity to think clearly and objectively about what just happened and thereby, learn from that experience and make the necessary adjustments to improve his game.
The next time you make a mistake, immediately visualize yourself "flipping a light switch on the wall" and take a deep breath. As you inhale, ask yourself what did you see, and while exhaling, ask yourself what did you learn. The message is that if you can see clearly, you can learn, and if you can learn, you will become a smarter and better player.
"Avoid The Minefields"
Too often, before or during a game, and especially when the game is not going as planned or your team is losing, you step on the "mental minefields" of complaining, blaming, doubting, resigning or questioning yourself or others. And once you step on one of these minefields, the mental part of your game has blown up. You have become mentally wounded and disabled. You have raised the white flag and surrendered. This mental approach to playing does nothing to empower you and will not help you elevate your performance. It will take your mind out of the game, and leave you with a sense of helplessness and hopelessness.
If you see yourself getting ready to step on one of these mental minefields, turn around and walk the other way. Keep your focus on more positive and productive thoughts or images of what you are currently doing or capable of doing. It's about taking ownership of yourself and focusing on what you are going to do at any moment of the game. Concentrate on what you want to accomplish and achieve to make you a better player. You will be thinking clearer...with more composure and confidence.
"Smile"
During a game, when a player from the other team tries to intimidate or scare you by trash-talking, you look straight in his eyes, take a deep breath, smile (keep your mouth closed), and say to yourself..."he's worried or scared". Then you briefly nod your head, turn around and as you are walking away you tell yourself..."I'm having a great time" or "this is fun".
Or, if during that same game, an official makes a call that you don't agree with...then you look straight at the official, take another deep breath, smile (keep your mouth closed again), and say to yourself..."no problem" or "it's ok". Then you briefly nod your head, turn around, and as you are walking away you tell yourself..."we need these officials to maintain and manage this game" or "they're just doing their job".
The moment you are outplayed by the opponent.
The moment you see you're behind on the scoreboard.
The moment you are called for a foul or penalty.
The moment you are verbally challenged by the opponent.
The moment you feel overwhelmed.
The moment you question yourself.
The moment you make a mistake.
You must condition your mind to take a negative experience in that critical moment, and respond with a positive and productive approach...allowing you to play up to your potential and not to play down to your fears and worries.
So, what can you do?
(here's a few suggestions)
"Flip The Switch"
After making a mistake on the field or court, a player immediately tells himself that he screwed up or failed. This negative self-talk will create negative feelings (anger,guilt) and often leads to a negative physical reaction (lowering the head, kicking the ground). Then the player begins to label himself as a loser or failure. And these negative thoughts and feelings after the first mistake will then trigger a second mistake. By making a negative judgment call about himself, the player is "kept in the dark". He has lost an opportunity to think clearly and objectively about what just happened and thereby, learn from that experience and make the necessary adjustments to improve his game.
The next time you make a mistake, immediately visualize yourself "flipping a light switch on the wall" and take a deep breath. As you inhale, ask yourself what did you see, and while exhaling, ask yourself what did you learn. The message is that if you can see clearly, you can learn, and if you can learn, you will become a smarter and better player.
"Avoid The Minefields"
Too often, before or during a game, and especially when the game is not going as planned or your team is losing, you step on the "mental minefields" of complaining, blaming, doubting, resigning or questioning yourself or others. And once you step on one of these minefields, the mental part of your game has blown up. You have become mentally wounded and disabled. You have raised the white flag and surrendered. This mental approach to playing does nothing to empower you and will not help you elevate your performance. It will take your mind out of the game, and leave you with a sense of helplessness and hopelessness.
If you see yourself getting ready to step on one of these mental minefields, turn around and walk the other way. Keep your focus on more positive and productive thoughts or images of what you are currently doing or capable of doing. It's about taking ownership of yourself and focusing on what you are going to do at any moment of the game. Concentrate on what you want to accomplish and achieve to make you a better player. You will be thinking clearer...with more composure and confidence.
"Smile"
During a game, when a player from the other team tries to intimidate or scare you by trash-talking, you look straight in his eyes, take a deep breath, smile (keep your mouth closed), and say to yourself..."he's worried or scared". Then you briefly nod your head, turn around and as you are walking away you tell yourself..."I'm having a great time" or "this is fun".
Or, if during that same game, an official makes a call that you don't agree with...then you look straight at the official, take another deep breath, smile (keep your mouth closed again), and say to yourself..."no problem" or "it's ok". Then you briefly nod your head, turn around, and as you are walking away you tell yourself..."we need these officials to maintain and manage this game" or "they're just doing their job".
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