My Edge

Question
Mr. Kenward,
I have a questions to ask. I have been playing basketball since the third grade and I went to basketball camps 4th through 8th grade. This year I am a junior in high school. In 8th grade my dad said that I had an edge and I was awesome. Now my dad says that I have lost that edge.  I was hefty then but I am much less now, I also have a much better stamina, but I know that isn't the problem. the problem is that I can't focus on the game. So I guess my question is, how can I improve my mentality?

Answer
Hello Sarah

Our ability to perform under pressure, in competition, during a game, depends on skill, ability, fitness and confidence.  You obviously have the skill, you have lots of ability and your fitness is even BETTER.

So the only factor left is confidence.  The question is - what happened?

What I'd like you to do is this: get a paper and pencil and start writing down specifically how you played in 8th grade, what you did that you were really happy with and what you wanted to improve.  Now go forward in time, game by game, to the point where things changed, where you couldn't focus on the game.  What was going on in your life then? School, sports, family, friends, etc.  Mental blocks happen to all of us and you can ALWAYS let them go, you just need to understand.

Next, I'd like you (if it's OK), to talk with your dad about this.  What our parents think of us is so important and a lot of the time we'll do what we need to do to live up to what they say, EVEN IF WE DON'T MEAN TO.  This can even include not playing your best because your dad said you lost your edge.

These strategies can really help you get back on track to using your skill, ability, fitness and confidence to the best of your ability.

Good luck and let me know how it goes.

David

David Kenward - The Mental Coach
Sacramento, California
http://www.thementalcoach.com
Win the Mental Game: Overcome mental blocks and improve performance
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