Developing Mental Toughness – Part 1
January 28, 2009
A player or person who is mentally tough is someone who is not easily distracted or distraught, someone who is consistent and persistent, someone who is confident and decisive, someone who, when adversity comes, keeps his or her composure and acts with an inner strength and freedom that others look to and, in fact, might envy.
Mental toughness (MT) then, is a state of mind, an internal quality that some have and others don’t. Or better yet, mental toughness is an internal quality that everyone has to varying degrees of strength and consistency.
I think that last sentence is really the key. For mental toughness is not something that some are born with and others are not. It is not simply the product of being a firstborn or having a certain kind of parent. Sure, those things might have their place, but there is no need to think that when it comes to mental toughness, there are the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots.’ Instead, it is wise to recognize that MT–a sweet inner intellectual and emotional strength–is something that every athlete can develop for the good of all.
Think about it: Most athletes spend thousands of hours developing their physical skills, while leaving their mental abilities left untapped or at least, unworked. Athletes develop their jump shot or fastball, but neglect the development of an inner toughness, an inner consistency of mental and emotional strength that oftentimes is the difference between success and failure. Coaches themselves spend countless hours developing unique practice schedules, all the while imagining the mental aspect of the game will take care of itself. Or maybe they think it is just not that important.
I have come to believe that this is a big mistake. For in the end, if you can make 9 of 10 in practice, what does it matter if, when you get into the game, you aren’t strong enough mentally to shoot the ball with freedom and confidence? If you are an athlete at any level, you know the difference between “practice players” and “gamers”, between those who perform well in practice and those who perform well in the games. Don’t you know instinctively that that difference is found within?
I will say more, but on this topic of mental toughness, I want to introduce at least three convictions on MT.
First, mental toughness is something that can and must be developed.
Second, mental toughness must be especially cultivated away from practices and/or games.
Third, you can only be as mentally tough as you are free from fear.
I will take them in turn in posts soon to come.
Working with a Plan
June 11, 2008
It’s not enough to know where you want to get to. You also need to know where you must travel to next. As a basketball player, it is vital to have long and short-range goals. But if all you think about is those long-range goals, you might be confused as to what you should do today. You need a next action step to go along with your long range vision. You want to play college ball? Well then, what step can you take toward that goal right now, today?
In answering that question, it is good to first, write it down and second, find out how you can develop a specific plan to work on various aspects of your game. It might only take 30-45 minutes each day, but if you are consistent with maximizing those 30-45 minutes, your game can rise to new heights. Having a plan is vital to maximizing your limited basketball moments.
What that plan should be is up to you. And I would encourage you to ask around for wisdom. Ask your coach (or coaches). Take notes of various drills you can do at camp. Then develop some specific workouts that can help you maximize your time on the court.
I could say more, but will do so maybe tomorrow. That is enough for now.
Planning and practicing,
Joe
12 Good Questions
June 10, 2008
I have begun working out a few younger players as of late. I start by giving them this short list of questions and offer it to you for further reflection. Besides question #2, if you take some time to answer these questions and reflect upon them a bit, I believe you can learn a lot about your game and clarify some things that will help you gain increased clarity as to how you can improve. In fact, I just realized that I need to answer them!
1. Why do you play the game of basketball?
2. What position do you play?
3. What do you enjoy most about the game of basketball?
4. What do you like least about the game of basketball?
5. Why do you want to improve?
6. In your opinion, what is the strongest part of your game?
7. In your opinion, what is the weakest part of your game?
8. If you could perfect one or two things, what would they be?
9. Describe yourself as a basketball player using three adjectives (e.g. aggressive, intense, etc.)
10. Do you enjoy watching the game of basketball? If yes, why?
11. Who is your favorite basketball player? (At any level.) Why?
12. What are your basketball goals?
