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
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