It is virtually impossible to maintain a consistent level of focus, intensity and killer instinct throughout entire workout, game or team practice. I think a big reason for this is that players are rarely pushed to that “next level”, a place where their mind and body has never been. If you have never been there it is hard for you to attain that level on your own.
Throughout a workout there usually is a time when you begin to slip and not work as hard. Maybe you start to get tired, your legs start to give, whatever the case may be. If you want to be able to maintain a high level of intensity it is crucial that you are aware of when your body and mind may start to slip so you can “pick it up”.
What is the gut check?
The gut check moment us when your back is up against the wall, you might start to lose a little confidence or feel that you don’t have a chance to win of finish the workout or drill. The reason I feel it is tough to push through these situations unless you have been guided through them before is because as human beings we don’t understand what we are fully capable of.
The first time I remember reaching this point was during a workout before my junior year. After about an hour of intense game speed drills we were doing a shooting drill that transitioned into 1 on 1. About midway through the 1 on 1 game my legs felt like jello and all I wanted to do is drop to the floor, but Coach MacArthur kept challenging and pushing me through the game. With the ball in my hands at game point I started to get cloudy vision and thought I was going to pass out, but finished the game hitting a pullup and pretty much dropped to the floor.
From then on I knew what it was like to push myself and challenge myself to get to that point in a workout. Is it good to push yourself to that point everyday? No, I think you would completely wear your body down, but I do think you should try to get to that point 1x week. I remember several times after that when I was by myself in the gym and mentally took myself back to that place; pushing and challenging myself. This is the ultimate test of your character, who you are as a person. There is no one around pushing you forward, encouraging you to finish the drill, run that last spring or take those last 150 shots. These times will reveal who you truly are.