Embrace the scene in The Replacements where Coach Jimmy McGinty (Gene Hackman) tells Shane Falco (Keanu Reeves), "Winners always want the ball."
In the big moments, top players want the serve receive, want to attack, want the serve. It's the DNA of winners, wanting the ball. They want to impact winning both for the team and themselves.
You've all seen it go the other way, the kid stuck in right field, the coach trying to "hide" the kid. The ball always finds the person who doesn't want it, like cats seeking the person who doesn't like cats.
How can you want to be on the court, yet not wanting to be impactful?
Prepare for excellence working your mental game.
1) Identity. Know who you are. Be relentless. You are a winner who wants the ball.
2) Performance. This is what you do. Take mental repetitions. Visualize your run-up, your arm swing, delivering the perfect 'shoot' set, digging an attack.
3) Visualize your past. If you were Sadie Jaggers, you might include winning the final point in the 2022 Elite Eight against Duxbury and coming out of a sickbed to help best Billerica in the 2023 playoffs. Jason Selk describes having a personal "highlight reel".
There's no secret sauce for success. Show up every day. "Always do your best." Want the ball when the game is on the line.
Lagniappe.
Lagniappe 2.
Confidence mainly comes from hard work and preparation, but positive self-talk and visualization can complement your training and give you the extra confidence you need to perform your best in games.
— Sports Psychology (@SportPsychTips) March 21, 2024
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