Galen Harkness • December 4, 2023
Quiet the Inner Critic: How to Translate Practice Confidence into Gameday Poise
You shine in practice, moving with ease and dominating the court.
You shine in practice, moving with ease and dominating the court. But games somehow trip you up, draining your confidence. How do you translate your practice performance into confident, effective play when under the lights?
Shift your mindset.
View games as opportunities to test your skills, make smart decisions, and get incrementally better. Set small, measurable goals focused on your development, not comparisons with others. Achieve a bucket, a steal, two deflections - baby steps toward growth.
Ease pressure by visualizing success.
Picture game situations in your mind, nailing shots or locks down D. Visualization breeds confidence in your abilities.
Focus inward on controllables:
effort, attitude, preparedness. Pour your energy into hustling, making the extra pass, defending fiercely. With time, fulfilling your role will build comfort in your game skin.
You have the talent; now own it. Block out judgment and let your instincts guide you. Fully trust in your practiced capabilities. Allow your inner confidence to radiate through uninhibited play.
Stay patient and persistent. Rome wasn't built in a day; neither is confidence. But with small wins and an inward focus, you will shine bright under the lights.
When players are ready there are three ways EYG can help:
1. Camps
2. Training
3. Newsletter
At 19 years old, Dominique Malonga was the youngest player drafted in the WNBA when the Seattle Storm picked her No. 2 overall. With her size, skill, and potential, she was called a “unicorn.” But her rookie season didn’t start with highlight reels. It started on the bench. For most of the first half of the season, she barely played. Frustrating? Absolutely. But instead of being negative, Malonga stayed ready. She studied veterans like Nneka Ogwumike, clapped for her teammates, and asked constant questions. She turned frustration into fuel. By midseason, the patience and hard work paid off. Malonga became the youngest player in league history to reach 300 points and record back-to-back double-doubles. Suddenly, Seattle’s playoff hopes rested on the same rookie who was once just watching from the bench. So, what can players learn from Malonga? Patience and persistence matter. Success isn’t instant—stay consistent. Learn from the best. Watch, listen, and apply what veterans do. Confidence comes from work. She built belief through preparation. Energy is everything. Even before she played big minutes, her attitude lifted her team. Work > hype. Being called a star means nothing if you don’t put in the reps. Malonga’s story is a reminder: greatness is built day by day. Talent opens the door, but work, mindset, and resilience keep you in the room. At EYG Basketball, we help players do exactly that. Whether it’s skill development, game IQ, or building the habits that matter, our programs prepare you for your moment—on and off the court. š Ready to grow? Explore EYG Programs Original ESPN article link
Luka DonÄiÄ’s offseason proves greatness starts off the court. Learn how discipline with training, diet, and habits can elevate your basketball game.
Too much recruiting. Not enough teaching. At EYG, we’re focused on real player development—skill, IQ, and confidence. Here’s how we’re doing it differently.