Building Confidence in Young Players: The “A” in RACE

We continue with Tod’s story. Confidence Part 2.

See Part 1 of the Building Confidence in Young Players series: The RACE Formula

This could easily be about dozens of boys or girls basketball players I’ve trained in just the same way. The next session he came in in a much better head space.  

I asked him why he felt better and he said it felt like there was light at the end of the tunnel where before there was none. His R. (Relentless) was definitely up! 

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R.A.C.E. Formula for Potential Under Pressure

As I mentioned in my previous article, the R.A.C.E. Formula process to get basketball players to play to their potential Under Pressure is a sequential process. First, we go to work on the A. in the R.A.C.E. Formula: Awareness

This is where I teach players, in terms they understand, how their mind operates. This gives them a sense of control, of empowerment and it builds R even higher. Believe it or not, even kids as young as 8 years old have used the power of this formula. 

Here’s what I mean…. I teach the kids that they have 2 functions of the mind: 

1. The thinking mind and

2. The power mind (for adults, it’s the conscious and unconscious mind)

For example, I employed stories and analogies to help Tod understand why it is that when he was too nervous going up against a bigger, tougher opponent, he could not get his body to calm down. All of the deep breathing and positive self talk in the world wasn’t helping and that was all he was able to get from his coaches and parents. That and a mental “game book” his Dad had bought for him.

It’s just not enough for most of us! If you’ve ever been nervous before an interview, a first date or a presentation, do you think “Positive Thinking” would have been enough for you parents – as adults? Kids are far more sensitive than we are. 

The look on Tod’s face was priceless when I helped him understand that he had what I call “belief programs” that were triggered at certain times which caused his nervous system to tense him up. As a result, it was like a lightbulb went on as he leaned in and asked me: “So how do I get rid of those belief programs?”

That’s the C. in the R.A.C.E. Formula – Clear.  

 We’ll go into that in the next time.  

Basketball Mental Toughness full program takes young athletes step by step through the RACE Formula system.

 P.S. You ca see a special video message or parents and coaches here: