Do you Consider Yourself a Disciplined Basketball Player?
Before you answer, consider the characteristics of a disciplined athlete.
A disciplined basketball player consistently strives for a high standard in their training, preparation, and performance in games.
Discipline for an athlete involves a commitment to training, doing the little things correctly, hustling on the court, developing a strong mental game, playing stout defense, a willingness to make sacrifices, and committing to continual improvement.
Athletes who lack discipline may go to practice, but they do not go all out in practice. They are haphazard in their preparation. They experience mental lapses during games. They don’t evaluate their performance after games and look for ways to improve.
Players who lack discipline are often a liability to their team, tend to plateau, and never reach their potential.
Disciplined basketball players share some key characteristics:
- Mentally Engaged – Disciplined players have a goal for practices, are prepared to work, and stay mentally engaged throughout practice.
- Consistent Effort – During training sessions, they consistently put in a high-level effort even when motivation is low.
- Self-Control – Disciplined players avoid unhealthy habits and maintain peak physical and mental conditions.
- Goal-Oriented – Disciplined players buy into team goals and set clear, achievable personal goals.
- Mentally Tough – Disciplined players seek out challenges, work through obstacles, and are resilient in the face of adversity.
- Detail-Oriented – Disciplined players tend to the smaller aspects of the game, knowing that small details make a big impact.
- Mentally Skilled – Disciplined players dedicate time to building their mental game and improving their confidence, focus, performance under pressure, and managing game-time emotions.
Overall, discipline is the vehicle that takes players from good to great. The Philadelphia 76ers started the 2024 NBA season with three losses in their first four games.
The expectations are high for the Sixers after signing high-profile players during free agency. A lack of execution, effort, and preparation has been a theme for the Sixers.
After the slow start to the season, Philadelphia Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey commented that the team needs to become disciplined in their preparation and play on the court.
MAXEY: “We have to execute. We have to be prepared. We have to be more prepared than the other team. We have to know what we’re running and when we’re running, and we have to know the scouting report. We have to know what we want to do, and we have to execute that plan, whatever the coaches are telling us to do, no matter what the scouting report is, we have to execute.”
Discipline is not built overnight. Building discipline is a gradual process that will pay off over time, improving your skills and game performance and strengthening your athletic mindset.
Discipline requires commitment and accountability. To become a more disciplined athlete, take responsibility for your actions. Track your progress.
Regularly evaluate how disciplined you are in practice, preparation, and play on the court. Each day, recommit to becoming the disciplined basketball player you want to become.
Related Sports Psychology Article
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The Mental Edge for Basketball (Digital Download)
The Mental Edge for Basketball Audio and Workbook program is ideal for any high school, collegiate, or pro basketball players. In addition, basketball coaches and parents can benefit from this program by helping their athletes learn the psychological strategies taught to personal coaching students. We’re very confident that you and your athletes will improve confidence, focus, and composure when you apply these strategies. To your mental toughness in basketball!
“Both of the last 2 weekends, Nicolas had high-pressure basketball tournaments where he really showed improvement and maturity! He reacted very calmly to missed shots and mistakes and was very poised in the very close finals game. We have never seen him so composed and locked-in on the issue at hand! He has also realized that and tells us that he feels more calm and confident than before.” ~Alex Mylonas, Nicolas’ father