Joe is a 25 year old post player currently playing in Spain
While it is always important for an athlete to select aspects of his game to work on – it is also important to have a plan for monitoring and measuring his progress – as was discussed in Parts 1 and 2 of this series on goals. Having such a plan considerably increases the likelihood of the player making serious improvement – doing
it sooner – and insuring that his efforts are effective.
it sooner – and insuring that his efforts are effective.
What I suggested to Joe was that he imagine a scout in the
stands watching him at games, and that the scout would rate Joe’s abilities in terms of catching near the rim and finishing on a scale from “1” to “10”, and make notes as to the reasoning behind the number he would assign to Joe’s current game performance.
stands watching him at games, and that the scout would rate Joe’s abilities in terms of catching near the rim and finishing on a scale from “1” to “10”, and make notes as to the reasoning behind the number he would assign to Joe’s current game performance.
With this number as a baseline, Joe could figure out where he wanted to be (realistically) in four months’ time – and what he needed to improve about his performance.
As we discussed this, Joe noted that one of the things he needed to improve was his rhythm and timing in his moves. He had a problem with rushing things and consequently not finishing the play.
So I asked him how much of this he thought was “technical” – meaning getting the motor-skill aspects of his play stronger…
and how much was “mental” – in terms of rushing things because of stressful thoughts which would enter his mind and take him out of his rhythm.
and how much was “mental” – in terms of rushing things because of stressful thoughts which would enter his mind and take him out of his rhythm.
Not surprisingly, he said he thought it was some of each. As far as working on this in practice, Joe started to formulate a plan for this. I told him that his best chance for speedy improvement would include using visualization as well. I suggested he start by spending time picturing some examples from last season where he was happy with his performance, and some examples of where he failed to finish.
As he pictured examples of each in his mind, he would start
to note what was happening when he was on his game – and by comparison – what was happening when he came up short – in terms of the thoughts in his mind, the fluidity of his movements, the level of his confidence, etc.
As he pictured examples of each in his mind, he would start
to note what was happening when he was on his game – and by comparison – what was happening when he came up short – in terms of the thoughts in his mind, the fluidity of his movements, the level of his confidence, etc.
The second step would be to spend more time seeing himself make the kinds of moves he wanted to be making in games – and as he continued to do this – to come up with a key word, phrase or thought that he would associate with catching the ball and going strong to the rim.
“Should I try to see how I am playing – or should I try to feel it – or what?” Joe asked.
“Actually, both,” I told him. “See yourself as if watching through your eyes – what we call INTERNAL VISUALIZATION – and also see yourself as if you were sitting in the stands and watching yourself on the court – what we call EXTERNAL VISULAZATION. Spend some time visualizing yourself as if in practice – and the other half of the time picturing yourself in game situations where you are being defended.
But ALSO, try sometimes to imagine the physical feelings of your body – more than what you picture with your sight – as you go through the moves. Feel the way your body moves – feel the rhythm of your footwork, the feel of the ball as you catch it, the energy surge as you make the move to the rim and put the ball through the hole.”
With this in mind, I told Joe to take 15-30 minutes once a week to write down his reflections on how things were coming along with regard to improving his abilities to catch and finish, with an eye toward rating himself once again on the “1” to “10” scale in one month’s time.
SUMMARY: Whatever particular skill you have identified as key to improving your overall play, the following steps will likely help you to identify the necessary efforts that will help you reach your goal in the most time-efficient way:
1. If the best players would rate a “10” on this skill, where do you think a coach or scout would rate your own abilities at the
present? It is important to remember that you may never reach a 10 – the question is: are you doing the most you can to reach the highest level of your own ability? Also, it is critical to ask yourself what it is about your performance – what you are doing well and what you could be doing better – that produces that particular rating at present?
present? It is important to remember that you may never reach a 10 – the question is: are you doing the most you can to reach the highest level of your own ability? Also, it is critical to ask yourself what it is about your performance – what you are doing well and what you could be doing better – that produces that particular rating at present?
2. Identify the steps – both technical and mental – that you can take in the coming weeks or months to make the best progress in this area.
3. Reflect once a week on how it is going – and follow your progress once a month by rating – in writing – how you are doing … and what particular steps that you took made the difference.
Wishing all athletes a great season in 2014-15!!!
© by 2011 by Dr. Mitch Smith. All rights reserved
