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Step 4 for playing in the zone: extreme confidence
Our first article broke down the basic elements of what the zone really is (if you didn't read our first article, click here to read it now).
The fourth building block to playing the zone is achieving a level of extreme confidence in your ability to play at a high level and dominate the competition:
The zone is about extreme confidence. You're playing well, it seems to continue for an extended period of time, and you're incredibly focused. Pretty soon all of these factors start to feed on each other, they build, and your positive momentum keeps going, and your play keeps improving. This snowball effect keeps building, and keeps infusing you with more and more confidence. And this extreme feeling of confidence, which I also call a feeling on invincibility, acts to keep you playing at a high level.
An extreme level of confidence in your abilities comes from the other building blocks: your ability to play at a high level, the level of fitness and athleticism that allows you to play at that level for a sustained period of time, and your ability to focus and finish plays.
Once these other building blocks are in place, they will lead to an increased confidence in your basketball abilities, and the success you'll have in out-playing the competition. The training you put in will have a direct impact on how confident you are in your abilities. As you work on your game, and become more skilled, you'll develop more confidence. And as you become more confident in yourself and have success, it becomes a cycle of improved play and increased confidence.
Great players take the court with a tremendous feeling of confidence. They know they'll miss some shots and get beat on some plays, but the have a belief in their abilities and know that in the long run, they'll outplay the competition. If you go into a game feeling unsure of yourself, our doubting your abilities, you've already lost. You're already beaten. If you're playing against a good opponent, they'll quickly sense that you have no confidence, and they'll go on the attack.
It's up to you to work on developing and building your confidence. It starts with hard work and lots of training. Develop the skills it takes to play the game well. From there, your confidence will grow. And in addition to building your physical skill set, make a point to take the court believing in yourself. Fill yourself with confidence, tell yourself (and really believe) that you're going to play well and then go out and make it happen.
There's no secret way of gaining confidence. You have to make it happen. Build it on a daily basis and over time, you'll have a strong belief in yourself that will allow you to take on any opponent, and succeed in any situation.
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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