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Wendi,
My name is Stephanie. I have played basketball all my life, from the time I started school, until my 8th grade year. I transferred schools in 8th grade, and they had already had basketball tryouts. That year I could not make the team. I was then going to wait until my Freshman year to make it, but where I hadn't practiced in a year and I had gotten lazy, I failed to make the team. Now it is April, and I will be a Sophomore next year. I love basketball, and I miss it so much. I am starting to practicee, get in shape, and work on every basketball drill known. I need some points, and thought I'd get on the internet to get some helpful hints. I know that I have waited until the last minute to start, because I only have about a month and a half before the tryouts. I shouldn't have done that, and that lessens my chances of making the team. But I don't want to have that kind of attitude, or I know I won't make it. I'm willing to work with everything in me to make this team this year. Do you think I can do it? I need some helpful hints, tips, or absolutely any information you can give me about how to make this team. I just fell kind of helpless.
Sincerely yours, Stephanie
Hello Stephanie,
Here is what you can do. One of the most important things you have is your state of mind. When you are playing really well, your brain and body is in a certain state- most athletes call it a zone. You can pump up your zone state, and make your mind and body go into that state anytime.
Here is what I want you to do.
Starting today, and at least once a day, take about 15 minutes (or more) to work on your MindGame.
Close your eyes, take a deep breath, let your body relax. As you relax, count from 10 down to one very slowly, relaxing deeper with each number.
By the time you get to the number one, you should feel relaxed and you will probably feel like your eyes have rolled up in your head.
Now that you are in a light trance you are ready to access your zone state.
Tell your mind to go back to a time when you were playing at your most powerful, when you were focused, and you really were on your game.
Next, tell your mind to recreate every detail of that excellent moment.
Hear the sounds. The dribble, the squeaks of shoes on the floor, the voices, the buzzers.
Feel the ball.
Notice the strength in your muscles.
See the action all around you.
Create the details in as many ways as you can.
Now tell your self that when you count to three the action will start.
1, 2, 3.
During this time, let yourself move with power, purpose, focus and accuracy.
Stay in this zone state for a minute or two. Then stop and anchor the state. Here is how to do that:
Find a word or phrase that feels like YOUR statement of belief about how strong you are at your game. It could be something like "I am on my game" " I play with power and purpose" "I am in control" Something that expresses YOUR feeling about being in the zone.
Next create a visual anchor. See something that will create a hook in your subconscious mind that connects you with your zone state anytime you see it.
It could be the top of your shoe, the back of your hand, or the rim of the basket. It has to be something that you will see every time you play and that will be consistent.
Now find a kinesthetic anchor- something that you can feel. You can squeeze your fist, or touch your thumb and finger together, or rub your thumb on the ball. The important thing about your kinesthetic anchor is that it has to be a little unusual… not something you do all the time.
So now, while in that state, create the anchor, and let your subconscious mind connect that touch with your power state.
Now the fun begins.
Ask your mind to go to another time when you were playing with power… in the zone.
Count to three, let your game blast off. Stop the game and anchor that state.
Use all three anchors- auditory (the phrase you say to yourself), visual (imagine seeing that thing) and kinesthetic (your touch anchor)
Next, go to another time when you were playing well. Do the same thing- recreate it in great detail. Use all three anchorse.. After about 5 of these great moments have been re-experienced in your mind and you have anchored them, you have a powerful zone state.
Now tell yourself this (while in trance)
"Anytime I say the words [insert your phrase] I play with power and purpose.
Anytime I see the [insert your visual anchor] I am strong and focused.
Anytime I feel [insert your touch anchor here] I become forceful and unstoppable."
The magic begins now. Remember that you are going to do this next part everyday, for about 15 minutes.
Put yourself into a relaxed state, imagine that you can go into the future to the tryouts, and create all the sights, sounds, and feelings of being there.
Imagine it as vividly as possible.
USE YOUR THREE ANCHORS, and let the game begin. Get busy! In your mind, play like you are on fire, and nothing can stop you.
Feel the strength of your muscles, the focus of your mind, and the power of your play.When you are done with your imaginary future game at tryouts, use your anchors again to connect with your zone state.
When you get to the court to practice be sure to use your anchors before and during your game.
And of course, let me know how it goes and what happens for you. If you need more help you know where to find me. By the way, I helped a high school girl who was being scouted by some universities. She was in a slump. After we did just two sessions of hypnosis she had her 3 best games ever- defense and offense. She was in front of the scouts and played more powerfully than she ever had before.
Her coach asked her what on earth she did! I guess it is her little secret.
Wendi
Wendi,
Thank you so much for helping me out!! I'm going to do that every day, and before tryouts. I'm kind of nervous because I'm kind of rusty, and I know that everyone else will be awesome. But, I have faith in myself. I think if I work hard enough that I can do it. I'll keep you posted on the tryouts and my overall progress. Oncec again, thank you so much for helping me out.
Sincerely,
Stephanie
Hey Stephanie-
One thing that I want you to do starting RIGHT NOW is to notice when you say something negative- to change it immediately! You said "I know that everyone else will be awesome" and when you say that you are affirming that you are not awesome.
Right now, while you read this, imagine what it would be like if you were be the most awesome on at the tryouts. What would that look like? How would that feel? What would you be saying to yourself at that moment, when you realize that you are playing better than you expected? If you were quick and focused and totally on your game, what would that mean for you?
So, no more negative thoughts. Blast them out of there and replace them with your belief and desire to find out how good it feels to be your best.
Wendi
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