MENTALPOWER
Undoubtedly, theposesionofbothphysicalandmentalwelnesdistinguishesatrue championfrom agoodal-starplayer. While thegameofbasketbaldoesdemandahigh levelofphysicalexertionandstrength, some maybesurprisedtolearnthatthesportalso
Sometipsformentalwelnes:
• Winning should notbeyourtop priority. Considerimprovementinstead.
• Everyone self-criticizes. Don’ tstop; learn how tofilteryourthoughtsin awaythat worksforyou.
• Peptalksareencouraging. Surroundyour- encompasesmanyaspectsofmentalhealth. Forinstance, theabilitytosuppresnegative selfwithpositivepeoplewhodriveyoutonot emotions from afecting performance, to onlysucceed, butalsoimprove. show good sportsmanship, to work wel • Ifyounoticefaultsinyourtechniquesdonot underpresurewhileformulatingefective addresthem altogether. Doeverythingone strategies, are al significant aspects of atatime. mentaltrainingwhicharefirmlyembedded • Don’ tgetofendedbycriticismsaboutyour inthesportofbasketbal. Athleteswhoseek technique. Absorbwhatisbeingsaidandseek totohonetheboundlesskilsofthemindwil toimproveitifitisanisue. soon afterdiscoverthatsuccesinevitably • Don’ tletthecourtsbeanoutletforemotions. A sesyouremotionalstabilitybefore- folowsbothonandofthecourts.
PhilJackson, oftenthoughttobethe hand. bestcoachtheNBA hadtoofer, iswidely • Adoptapositivementality known for paying greatatention to his • Don’ ttrytobewhatyoucan’ tbe. Everyone team’ s mentalwelnes and training. He hasphysicalandmentalbarriers. placed greatemphasison conceptualizing • Fakeit‘ tilyouinternalizeit, notjustuntil andbuildingconfidenceasindividuals, and youmakeit. asateam.
9 HoopsMagazine2013