“The best players in the world are totally focused on the present moment – because that is all they can control…Great players don’t worry about a missed shot or a bad call. They don’t get distracted by trying to think about winning and losing. They focus on the here and now. They ‘Play Present.’”
This concept from Alan Stein and Graham Betchardt can be simplified as focusing on one task at a time throughout the game.
Below are a few phrases we use that in basketball (and life) that are situation specific to help us and our players “Play Present”.
“One for One”
It’s amazing how difficult it is to stay focused throughout a workout – great players have developed ability to do this. We use this phrase ‘One for One’ in every shooting drill that we do. It helps players focus on shooting one shot at a time, not thinking about the last shot they missed or the one 30 seconds in the future that they are trying to make. Focus on your feet and your follow through, one shot at a time – every time. We want to shoot 1 shot 500 times, not 500 shots.
“Next Play”
This concept is from Duke Basketball and Coach K. I think this phrase is appropriate for after a mistake is made. Mistakes are part of the game and life – expect them, accept them and move on. So many times 1 mistake leads another mistake or a lack of focus on the next possession. By using the phrase “Next Play” we are turning our attention and focus immediately to the next thing in our control.
1-0
Preparing for a game the only thing we want players to focus on is the one ahead of us. Every game is a big game and needs to be treated that way. Specifically here we want to focus on the process of going “1-0” – things we can control like rebounding, spacing the floor, closing out and communicating.
1 Stop
Defensively if you can focus on getting one stop at a time throughout a game you are going to be successful. It’s extremely difficult to focus all your effort on 1 single defensive possession at a time and the teams that do reap the benefits. Closeout, contain and contest. Rebound – it’s not a stop until you do. To challenge your team see how many stops you can get in a row. Keep adding them up. Set records and beat records.
If you can discipline yourself to be present – yes it’s a choice – with your feet on every shot, making each dribble move quicker and maximum effort on every possession you’ll have more enjoyment from the game, and make quicker improvements. We need deep, deliberate practice to improve and “Playing Present” is how you get there.
If you have any other phrases that you use to teach players to “Play Present” I’d love to hear them.
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Mike Lee Basketball Services trains thousands of middle school through NBA players each year in their skill development training, camps and coaches clinics. The owner, Mike Lee, is also a Nike Girls Skills Academy instructor and the assistant director for the Stephen Curry Skills Academy. Recently the company has authored 7 skill development DVDs and created miSkillz Online Basketball training. To host an event in your city or learn more please visit www.mikeleebasketball.com.
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