Build Confidence

As you get into game play in your season, building and maintaining confidence becomes so key! Here are a few ways to think about your confidence and how you have control over it.

-Put in extra practice-prove to yourself that you are ready! Putting in some practice outside of your team practice will greatly improve your confidence on the floor. Figure out what shots you will take in the game. Go work on those shots. Get some extra ball handling in each week. Play one on one with someone a little bit better than you to improve your defense in games.

-Hear the good in what you coach says. Many times athletes focus on the negative or the criticism from a coach. They likely said some positive things about your play too. Ask them what your strengths are if you don’t know! Play to those strengths and keep asking for feedback. Make sure you listen with open ears and pick up the compliments on your game as well as the constructive feedback.

-Prepare mentally. Think about how you want to show up in the game and focus on those behaviors beforehand. Watch some film of your games if you can. What do you want to do better the next time out? Easy to do but easy not to do: try some visualization. Close your eyes for two minutes and picture yourself in the game making great decisions, hitting shots, and leading your team. This will impact your play as your mind will see your best game. Don’t knock it til you try it!

Nobody can give you confidence. But you sure can work on building it and protecting it as you go through the season. Figure out what works for you, and stay positive when you don’t play great. Confidence can be the biggest separator you find this season!!!

​#getbetter