Skills,(Since I have been benched)

Question
I am playing high school basketball and earlly this season(07-08) my coach said that I was very talented and that he looked for me to be a leader. Well I played maybe 10-15 min total this season over the span of 26 games(12-14). I have gotten alot smarter, but my skill level is not what it used to be . My strength was my handles and court play.My coaches say I'm afraid , they said thats why they didn't play me. To be  honest , I feel like they gave up on me. Then I gave up on myself .Since I was benched, everything left and I am struggling to get it back. You know, things like instincts. Sometimes I just want to cry because I could see how good I was and how good I could be. All I needed them was a better jumper and a little bit more confidence, just a little. Lately, I need a better handle and passing.It used to be the other way around . Its like I am not even the same player.Whoo! Now, I beat myself up in MAYB  games. Like today we had one(a scrimage). Oh man I did horrible! I had so many TOs . I don't even want to talk about my defense. They had quick guards  and they put a lot of pressure on us (full -court man to man).I have faith in JESUS ,HE saved me from a burning hell. Now I must believe in HIM and what HIS Word  said I can do all things through CHRIST who strength. What do you think I should do about my game. Boy, do I need help.

Answer
Hello Famoniq

From what you are telling me, you do well in practice but you can't do well under pressure with other players.  Could you talk again with your coaches?  Find out specifically WHY they think you are afraid (what do you do on the court that leads them to believe this).  Get the who, what, when, where and how.  To overcome pressure problems, the first step is to get as much information as possible.  We all have things that trigger our emotions, whether it's a song, a tv show or movie, a smell, etc.  In competition, we get triggers, too.  It could be another player, a situation or something that didn't go well.  Then sometimes we get into a self-fulfilling prophecy where we EXPECT to do rotten.  

You need to take a step back and reaffirm your basics and get some FAITH back in your skills and abilities.  THEY ARE STILL INSIDE IF YOU.

It's time to learn from whatever happened, let it go and move on.  There's a difference between what we do and who we are.  IT'S OK TO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AGAIN.

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: Perform better under pressure in any sport
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