Play smarter basketball.  Play better basketball.

10-steps to elevate your game and get in the zone

Step 5: re-sets

One of the keys to playing great basketball and getting yourself into the zone is keeping positive momentum going.

Really, when you think about it, playing great basketball is about putting one good play together with another one, and another one, and another one, and so on.  If you string lost of good plays together, you've got a good stretch going.  And if you put together several good stretches of play, you're on your way to a good game.

So any technique or plan that you can put in place to get those good stretches going will put you in a better position to have a great game, and get in the zone.

One excellent technique you can employ to help put yourself in a position to play better ball is using re-sets.  Re-sets simply means that at various points in the game, you re-set yourself, re-center yourself, so that you can continue playing good basketball.

What exactly does this mean?

Well, let's provide some examples.  Let's say you commit a silly foul, and then a minute later you turn the ball over trying to do too much.  Needless to say, you've got some momentum going, but it's not the kind you want.  Many players, after having committed a few minstakes will get in a funk, and their game will start to spiral downward.  Worry about committing more fouls will lead to being hesitant and less aggressive, which leads to getting beat on plays, which leads to more fouls, etc.

Re-sets allow you to stop this cycle before it happens.  Anytime something negative happens, make a point of stopping yourself, telling yourself to get back on track, and moving on from that situation.  If there is a takeaway from the situation (such as getting a feel for how the refs are going to call the game), turn a negative into a positive.  But re-set yourself so you move on from the situation with no negative side effects.  And moreover, move on from the situation with a fresh start, with no posibility that negative momentum is going to affect your game.

Re-set yourself mentally at any time out, at the end of quarter or a half, and anytime there is a stoppage in play (turnover, free throw situation, etc.).  Using this technique, you'll be sure to keep negative momentum at bay, and put yourself in a position to play your best and creat the positive momentum that can help get you in the zone.

Click here to go back to the Zone section of the site and get more information, tips, tricks, and techniques to improve your level of play and get yourself playing in the zone.

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