I don’t need to sell anyone on the importance of confidence in basketball. Simply put it’s an absolute must. It separates the good from the great and the elite from everyone else.
Our 1-1 mindset program is all about practical basketball specific exercises players can do to improve their mindset. Here are 10 practical ways to build confidence:
1. Make a list of all the times you have succeeded on the court (i.e. best wins, practices, etc.). Confidence is all about what you focus on so start focusing on your successes. Basketball players are often critical to a fault. You’d be surprised how many good players stink at focusing on their success list. When they do, they can reach the next level faster.
2. Make a list of elite players who use the same technique as you. It is imperative to believe in your technique especially during difficult times.
3. Improve your body language before games and practices. Find out what confidence looks like to you (everyone is different) and use that body language before/during practices and games. You will start to feel more confident.
4. Create a Confidence Anchor. A bit more psychological here. When you feel confident, do some physical gesture (i.e. hand clap, pump fist, etc.). Then start using this before games and whenever you want to feel more confidence. Good old fashioned classical conditioning.
5. Visualize yourself succeeding. Use every sense you can. Don’t just visualize winning, but the whole process of a game and tournament. Visualize yourself overcoming fears.
6. Make a list of your best qualities. In basketball, in school and life in general. What are you good at? The fresher these qualities are in your mind the more confident you will feel.
7. Pray and read Scripture. This should be number one because it will help you in every area of your life. Confident people know what they believe in. When your faith grows, your confidence will grow as well.
8. Make a small goal every day that you can accomplish. When you see yourself achieving these small goals each day your confidence will grow.
9. Create a highlight tape of yourself. Watch yourself in your best games regularly. See yourself executing technique and dominating games. This is like visualization on steroids.
10. Do something better than anyone you will play. Olympian wrestler Ben Askren did a study of NCAA champs. One thing they all had in common is that they each believed they possessed some skill better than anyone they wrestled. It may or may not have been true but each believed it. It could be a single technique, physical or mental attribute. What do you do better than everyone?
*** 11. Do something other people aren’t doing. Whether it’s running, starting a nutrition program, going to bed early every night, daily mindset training, etc. When you are doing things that others aren’t willing to do consistently you will undoubtedly build confidence.
Our 1-1 mindset program is all about practical basketball specific exercises players can do to improve their mindset. Here are 10 practical ways to build confidence:
1. Make a list of all the times you have succeeded on the court (i.e. best wins, practices, etc.). Confidence is all about what you focus on so start focusing on your successes. Basketball players are often critical to a fault. You’d be surprised how many good players stink at focusing on their success list. When they do, they can reach the next level faster.
2. Make a list of elite players who use the same technique as you. It is imperative to believe in your technique especially during difficult times.
3. Improve your body language before games and practices. Find out what confidence looks like to you (everyone is different) and use that body language before/during practices and games. You will start to feel more confident.
4. Create a Confidence Anchor. A bit more psychological here. When you feel confident, do some physical gesture (i.e. hand clap, pump fist, etc.). Then start using this before games and whenever you want to feel more confidence. Good old fashioned classical conditioning.
5. Visualize yourself succeeding. Use every sense you can. Don’t just visualize winning, but the whole process of a game and tournament. Visualize yourself overcoming fears.
6. Make a list of your best qualities. In basketball, in school and life in general. What are you good at? The fresher these qualities are in your mind the more confident you will feel.
7. Pray and read Scripture. This should be number one because it will help you in every area of your life. Confident people know what they believe in. When your faith grows, your confidence will grow as well.
8. Make a small goal every day that you can accomplish. When you see yourself achieving these small goals each day your confidence will grow.
9. Create a highlight tape of yourself. Watch yourself in your best games regularly. See yourself executing technique and dominating games. This is like visualization on steroids.
10. Do something better than anyone you will play. Olympian wrestler Ben Askren did a study of NCAA champs. One thing they all had in common is that they each believed they possessed some skill better than anyone they wrestled. It may or may not have been true but each believed it. It could be a single technique, physical or mental attribute. What do you do better than everyone?
*** 11. Do something other people aren’t doing. Whether it’s running, starting a nutrition program, going to bed early every night, daily mindset training, etc. When you are doing things that others aren’t willing to do consistently you will undoubtedly build confidence.