Mastering Emotions: Managing Frustrations, Doubts, and Nervousness as an Athlete

Emotions in Basketball

Basketball is a game where you’ll experience a lot of ups and downs throughout the season, course of a game, and even split moments like a buzzer beater. For every athlete it’s different but all passionate hoopers have had to navigate through the joy, disappointment and constant new feelings that the game brings. You can experience a bad call, beautiful pass, turnover, or turnaround jump shot within 45 seconds. The key is to let these emotions come, pass by you, and remain present.

Why Is Emotional Control Important? How Can Poor Control Affect Your Game?

Emotional control can be a tool for athletes if they know how to use it. It can also be something that works against you if mismanaged. The key is to find the emotions that bring the best out of you. Some players play better angry because it brings out the competitor within them and can lead to more aggressive drives and tougher defence. Then you have your players who play better, calm and at their own speed. They let the game come to them and never seem to get too flustered. Last one I'll touch on is the confident players. You can see it in them that their self-belief never waivers in their ability. It’s important to identify which range of emotions works best for you and understand that you’ll flow through a variety of them throughout the game. Poor control of your emotions will take away your focus. Whenever you feel yourself off balance breathe (inhale and exhale) and take back control of your mind.

How Should Young Athletes Manage These Emotions?

Frustrations

Speak. Communicate your issues with whomever your frustrations are with. Coaches, teammates, parents - no one can read your mind so if frustrated with someone or a situation don’t let it linger. Address it and move forward.

Doubts 

Practice. If you have doubt in your game, you haven't practiced enough. When you’ve truly prepared yourself for competition it’s only natural you believe in your ability. Kobe Bryant spoke about doubt perfectly in an interview. He said “doubt is pointless because there's going to be times you're going to succeed and there's going to be times you're going to fail… Control what you can control and see what the outcome is.” Work on your game, put in the time, play with confidence, and live with the results.

Nervousness

Have a plan. Feeling nervous is normal. Even at the professional level, you'll see players wiping their palms before the jump ball. Pray, breathe, meditate - do whatever you need to do to focus on the game and not your emotions.

How Does Learning to Manage Your Emotions Help You off the Court?

Difficult situations are going to present themselves in life, but learning to manage your emotions will protect you from ill thoughts and feelings taking control. Once you understand yourself and can control how you react to things you become a very powerful person. Developing emotional intelligence and practicing mindfulness will help you gain control of your emotions and flow through life gracefully.

As a Coach, How Do You Help or Teach Your Athletes to Manage Their Emotions?

I remind them to be present - focus on the next shot, next play, whatever needs your attention in that moment. We also instill them with confidence the best we can, steering them away from the “I can’t do that.. I can't shoot.. I can't guard them” mindset. 

At 3Crown, we want players to believe in themselves and their ability every time they step out on the court. That belief translates to life, where you should continue to control your thoughts and master your emotions. One of our greatest superpowers is the ability to choose one thought over another.