Total Pageviews

Monday, June 29, 2026

Basketball - Mantras

"The term mantra originates from ancient Sanskrit, derived from the root man ("to think") and the suffix -tra ("instrument"), literally translating to "instrument of thought." - Brave AI

Think of mantra as another form of "self-talk." We become what we think. 

In 10-Minute Toughness, Jason Selk promotes an "identity statement" and a "performance statement." This reduces to:

  • "This is who we are."
  • "That is what we do."
We were the second place team in a tough league that had won the lion's share of the State Championships over the prior twenty years. Before our first playoff game, Coach Ellis Lane told us, "These guys are good; they can give you a game." Players looked at each other in disbelief. We led 45-10 at halftime. 

"I'll make it" was rooted in practice. 

“Great moments are born from great opportunity.” - from Miracle (Coach Herb Brooks)

"Being perfect is not about the scoreboard." - from "Friday Night Lights"

"Own the possession." Games are a sum of individual possessions. Success in individual possessions creates a high probability of success. 

"Play through contact." Basketball is not a contact sport. It is a collision sport. 

"Scoreboard not scorebook" Commit to playing for the team not individual statistics. This restates playing for the name on the front of the uniform not the back. 

"The ball has energy." Sharing the ball energizes the team and creates opportunities for everyone. 

Players have the opportunity and obligation to put themselves and their team in a position to succeed. As Coach Wooden remarked, "Happiness begins where selfishness ends."

Lagniappe. The best players 1) make everyone around them better, 2) find solutions to complex problems, and 3) do so in the moment. 


Posted by at