Are you aiming to play college basketball and need to improve your training? Or, do you feel like when you attend basketball clinics it just isn't enough? Well, maybe you're not practicing ALL of the skills necessary.
What about your mental game? Our emotions have proven to effect more than our mood. They can affect your eating habits, driving ability, and performance on the basketball court.
Not Just Physical
Basketball is as much a mental game as it is physical. Mental health and the proper mindset, knowledge (known as basketball IQ BBIQ) , and attitude are simple aspects that make good players, great players. Although it is not often brought up when discussing basketball training or game preparation, mental preparation is a crucial aspect of basketball skills training.
Sports Psychology
Phil Jackson would give his players a copy of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, a book said to change the lives of many of his players, including Steve Kerr. The world of sports psychology is a growing industry. We are just beginning to scrape the surface of our mental complexity and how this can affect our performance in basketball or other competitive sports.
Meditation
Meditation is a great way to relax and clear your pre-game anxiety. Relaxing your mind properly can do wonders for your shot, control and stability in a game. Spend 5-15 minutes meditating before each game and you'll instantly feel the difference.
Limit External Factors
Another way to improve your mental game is learning how to limit external factors. You do not want to think about your school project due the next day when shooting crunch-time free throws. It's important to take the necessary steps to clear your mind of distractions.
Stop Worrying
Do not worry about your shooting mechanics during a game. Focus on your form and prepare yourself properly in practice. During the basketball game you want your muscle memory and instincts to take over so you can react and effortlessly shoot your shots.
Mentally Play Beforehand
Another great way to focus is to mentally play your game before you physically play. Close your eyes and imagine playing at that moment, every dribble, every move, being guarded in real time. Think about all of the different ways your teammates can cut and get open. This will give you a sense of familiarity with the game before it happens. Trust me, it works!
Practice
Finally, practice makes perfect. The more practice and work you put in, the more mentally confident you'll feel. Basketball skills training is not limited to running suicides and basketball clinics. You're going to need to also spend time practicing your mind if you're going to play college basketball.
