ACT AS IF

An effective tool in improving performance is to “act as if” what you hope to achieve has already happened. Successful athletes have the ability to see in the mind’s eye the final result before it actually happens.

When you play basketball with an “act as if” mentality, your performance will improve because you play with increased confidence, resolve and mental toughness.

How to make the “act as if” concept work for you. The following is an example:

Guarding a Player in Practice You Want to Beat Out

1. Form a mental blueprint of guarding this player with great intensity.
2. Visualize how you will stop this player using the following strategies:
A. Force dribble drives to the weak side.
B. Make them catch the ball where they can’t score.
C. Make every dribble as difficult as possible.
D. Get a hand in the face so you don’t give up a good shots.

Pretend you have a tiger and mouse in your heart …
Be the tiger and make your opponent be the mouse.

It’s all about attitude!