Mental preparation - Are you ready for the next game?


Mental preparation is an underutilized part of the game of basketball or any sport for that matter.  I see a lot of players with headphones or earbuds listening to their favorite music but are they just trying to relax or are they mentally preparing for the game?  How many coaches actually teach visualization techniques to their athletes so that they can perform at the highest level?

A long time ago, I was a track athlete and nationally ranked marathon runner.  I wasn't the best runner but I was prepared for the race.  You work for  4 or 5 months to run a marathon, often running 100 miles each week and then you just don't show up to run.  When I ran marathons, I used to prepare mentally with a Visualization routine that I used four or five times before the race.  I would lay down on the floor or find an easy chair where I could prop my feet up.  Take about five deep breaths.  Clear my mind.  Empty it of any thoughts.  Turn on my mental camera.  I would think about my entire 26 mile run.  I would tell myself how well the pace was going.  How good I felt.  When I was going to make my moves.  When I did this visualization routine, and I found myself actually in the race, I was surprised to "see" how well my visualization compared to the race itself.  At about 20 miles, when you might start falling apart, I was mentally ready for the last 6 miles.  I was amazed that I felt good after 20 hard miles and my mind was in the right spot.  I actually felt like I had visualized in those sessions. 

 Do your athletes visual their game?  Do they visualize how they will perform?


Find a quiet spot by yourself.  Lay down and relax.  Take about five deep breaths.  Clear your mind.  Empty it of any thoughts.  Turn on your mental camera.Visualize yourself in the gym.  Talk yourself through this out loud.  Think about all the hours of preparation that make you a good player.  Think about the successful games you have had.  Think about the great shots you have made.   Now turn to today’s game.  Think about that perfect game.  Visualize the jump ball.  Visualize taking a shot from the corner.  It’s easy.  It’s not too quick.  It floats up there and swishes the basket.  Visualize your form.  It’s the same easy form that you used in warmups.  It feels silky smooth.  Visualize your form again.   Your balance. Your follow-through.  Play out the game.  Visualize driving the basket for a hoop.  Everything is working.  You are relaxed.  It’s fun.  Spend about 15-20 minutes before the game in a quiet place with this routine.  You should be so calm when you do this that you feel like falling asleep. 





Here’s a couple of articles about mental prep.  

http://www.sportspsychologybasketball.com/2011/03/mental-preparation-for-basketball/

http://elitelevelhoops.com/how-to-mentally-prepare-for-a-basketball-game/



Here’s a couple of YouTube videos on mental preparation.  The first is by Kyrie Irving

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=mental+preparation+before+a+basketball+game&view=detail&mid=6EC874F6BEBFA1886B2D6EC874F6BEBFA1886B2D&FORM=VIRE


 https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=mental+preparation+before+a+basketball+game&view=detail&mid=AE22795BDE2E0CB794E3AE22795BDE2E0CB794E3&FORM=VIRE


In a shooting slump?  Try this. 
The BreakThru Stats stat program I use had this on their website…..  How to break a shoot slump.  The routine is crazy-assed but they claim it works.

And don't forget to have fun......

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