At the end of a basketball game, the fate of a team could go one of two ways — victory or defeat. The former brings a great sense of fulfillment, happiness, and relief, while the latter drags a player down a mire of frustration and even discouragement. The difference between these two outcomes is stark, striking fear of failure into countless hoopers.
If you’re one of those athletes who crumble even at the thought of messing up on the court, here is how to push through fear of failure in basketball.
Get Over the Hump: How to Push Through Fear of Failure
The fear of failure can predispose a basketball player to performance anxiety, stress, and tension. Needless to say, being overwhelmed by it can more than disrupt your focus on the game and take you out of your element. So, there is no better option than overcoming it through these effective ways.
Know your fears
When struggling to regain composure as fear takes over you, learn to take a step back. Breathe. Relax. Take the time to assess yourself. In the process, you will be able to determine the source of what’s holding you back. This can come in the form of lack of preparation, intimidation, and even physical concerns like a nagging injury, among others.
Once you have identified the culprit behind your distress over a ball game, you are already set on the right path on how to push through fear of failure in basketball.
Put a premium on preparation
An efficient method of approaching how to push through fear of failure is by unlocking the confidence within you. To do this, the key that you will need is solid preparation. In other words, polish your skills as much as you can before a match while conditioning your mind and body for the task at hand ahead of time.
As to how the late, great Kobe Bryant once put it, “Confidence comes from preparation. When the game is on the line, I’m not asking myself to do something I haven’t done a thousand times before.”
Furthermore, the process of preparation also includes scouting the opposing side. Pick apart their team system by reviewing game footage and devise a strategy with your team to counter them. Having knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of your opponents can give you a sense of control over the situation, bringing out confidence in you.
Enhance mental strength
As you tackle how to push through fear of failure, the improvement should also come in your mental game. The mindset that you have towards the source of your weakness can help you address it. So, whip your mentality into shape and never allow fear to affect your performance in a negative manner ever again.
If you’re looking for inspiration to pattern your mental strength, the legendary Michael Jordan might just be the one for you. “I know fear is an obstacle for some people, but it is an illusion to me. Failure always made me try harder next time,” he said.
Push through fear of failure in basketball and be confident in the court!Â
Under Control
With the knowledge you have gained on how to push through fear of failure, there is no stopping you from balling out on the court with aplomb. So, put these methods into practice and you will soon be the confident baller that you aspire to be.