It is certainly okay if someone who is better than you beats you. However, make up your mind right now that you will not beat yourself by letting someone intimidate you. The next time you play against an overpowering, confident team and/or player, tell yourself that he is going to have to beat you. Then tell yourself to forget about him and play your game one possession at a time.
A confident person expects to win and puts pressure on his competition. However, all you have to do to increase your chance of winning is to put doubt in your opponent's mind by playing him close or even. If this person or team is not winning or dominating as easily as expected, the doubt will start to creep in. As soon as he doubts himself, his game will weaken. He will more than likely make a couple of mistakes and give you the opportunity you need.
So get mentally strong and look forward to playing overpowering and confident teams. Don't concern yourself with beating them, just play your game and stay close. Once your opponent starts looking over his shoulder and you are still there, you got him. Self-doubt will force him out of his game and he will end up beating himself. The trick is that you have to play your game. Forget about your opponents and enjoy turning the tables against them.
< Back to Basketball Player Tips
Don't want to be intimidated on the basketball court? Get stronger and more powerful with The Complete Basketball Strength and Speed Program from HoopsU.com!!
There will be many times throughout your days of playing basketball that you have to go up against a superior team and/or a better player. You may be playing the best team in your conference, league, county, or state. You may have to guard against the best player you have ever seen. Maybe one of the best basketball players around has to defend you during a game.
If you play basketball long enough, you will inevitably have to deal with these or similar situations. How do you, as a player, handle it?
Play of the Day Categories
Hoops U. - Est. 9-11-1999
Copyright © 1999-2008 Hoops U. ® All rights reserved
The information contained in HoopsU.com may not be published, broadcast, framed, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of Hoops U.
