Controlling Your Emotions

By Coach Vic Pruden, eteamz.com

To be an effective player, you must learn to control your emotions so that, at any particular moment of play, your level of emotional intensity is appropriate for the demands of play.

For example, when rebounding or going for a loose ball, you will need to be aggressive. On the other hand, when advancing the ball with dribble, you will need to be calm, cool, and collected, that is, a state of very low emotional intensity. Generally, play on defense requires a higher level of emotional intensity than does play on offense.

The ability to change quickly your level of intensity will make you a much better basketball player. With playing experience and by being perceptive, you can learn to know when to be highly excited and when to have ice water in your veins.