Most people would tend to perceive basketball
as a purely physical game. You can see that evidence everywhere:
endless physical training to bout any bodily weaknesses; energy drinks
and foods that focus on combating fatigue; clothes and shoes that give
comfort during the game; etcetera, etcetera.
Perhaps, to add further proof, we can add in the basketball athletes' way of delivering the game itself. They thrust and drive and pivot and shoot-it's all a perspiration-inducing game.
But
beyond all the physicality of the game, it would be wise to believe
that mental preparation is also a necessity in this type of sport.
Mental training isn't just for chess or any sedentary mind game. In
fact, it is equally as important as physical training.
Now, you
might be asking, how you will be able to incorporate mental training or
any psychological preparation into each of your game. It's definitely
not easy. The basic attitudes are persistence, perseverance and the will
to finish any commitment. Just like physical training, the required
mental trainings ask for competitiveness and the three attitudes just
mentioned are essential.
0nce you are committed to do whatever it
takes to gain the edge on your game, here are the most common
techniques that mind experts (that's psychologists to you) advise you to
do:
1. Relaxation of the mind-this includes exercises that are
similar to yoga exercises where you relax your mind in spite of the
distractions. The mind relaxation technique is voluntary and you should
be able to calm your mind even if the dog outside is barking or when
your roommate has just blasted on the TV. Concentration is the keyword
in achieving this technique. This means you should be able to control
what you feel even if you have just gone through a stressful day at the
office.
2. The Will to change Unpleasant Attitudes-this is a
must. To be able to incorporate new ways into your game, you should be
willing to give up your old ways. If there are many attitudes that get
in the way of gaining a better game, then you must get rid of them for
the sake of improvement. Anger management is on this list. If you are
the type that explodes at the smallest provocation, then it is high time
to control this negative attitude and gear it towards having a
controlled temper. If you are also the type that puts off routines and
other necessary training until you tend to cram when the game draws
near, then it's time to discipline yourself.
3. Control of Energy-you will be better able to direct your strength towards the achievement of a better basketball game.
4.
Have a Can Do Attitude-visualize yourself scoring more than you have
ever done. If you believe in yourself and the power that your mind is
able to do, then you will start seeing results. Equipped with this
new found attitude towards the game (and life in general) and constant
practice, then there is nowhere to go but up.
5. There was an interesting study on stress management called the Stress Inoculation training. In this training, the basketball
athletes were exposed to minimal, initial doses of stress until they
gradually underwent heightened introduction of stresses. This study
wanted to prove that immunity from stress might be achieved. Perhaps a
good source of 'stress' would be the rigors of basketball training itself. It's physically draining but in a good way.
6. Attain a confident attitude-self-esteem is an integral part on any basketball player's game. Once he has the confidence, all other techniques come easy.
7.
Love of the Game-work becomes work only if it stops being something you
enjoy. When an athlete starts to see the boring side of the game or
when he fails to 'feel' the game, then that's where failure creeps in.
Shun basketball when you don't enjoy it-plain and simple.
There are so many techniques of basketball
game improvement. But if you have read carefully, you will notice that
it all boils down to one-you. When you know what you want and work hard
to achieve it physically, nutritionally and mentally, then you are on
your way to achieving success.
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