Basketball: The Price of Greatness Is Within Yourself

"Basketball is four to one mental to physical." - Coach Bob Knight

If basketball success relates so closely to the head game, then why do we give short shrift to mental training? Remember that thought leader Seth Godin says that we often suffer not enough P's. 

The added P's include:

1. Psychology (How am I preparing mentally?)
2. Purpose (Why do we play?)
3. Process (What approach works for you?)
4. Priorities (What's important?)
5. Possession (Succeed this play.)
6. Practice the above again and again. 

I met Dr. Tom Hanson at a stock investment conference sponsored by Todd Harrison and Minyanville. Hanson served as the New York Yankees' sport psychologist. Hanson's most famous success...we'll call him DJ. Hanson encouraged DJ to stride tall and confidently to home plate. The rest is history. Harvard researcher Amy Cuddy says, "fake it until you become it." 

Hanson's book, Heads Up, shares information that works for baseball. Excerpts translate to basketball and life. I lightly edit: 

• Take responsibility for your thoughts and actions. 
• Commit to a purpose; make your daily actions consistent with your purpose.
• Play one (pitch) possession at a time, confident and focused.
• Focus on the process rather than the outcome. 
• You can't control what happens; you can control your response.
• Practice what you do in a game. Keep it simple.

Great mental preparation won't help the player lacking strength, athleticism, skill, knowledge, and know how. Sport psychology doesn't replace experience and abundant confidence doesn't substitute for work. 

Dr. Hanson suggests a few daily assessment questions:

1) What is my commitment to learning today? 

2) What am I going to practice today? (athleticism, technique, tactics, mindfulness)
3) How will what I'm saying or doing affect this player's (or team's) confidence?

"The price of greatness is responsibility." - Winston Churchill

Lagniappe: