Hot Shooting from a Seasoned Shooter

Despite research and debate that may negate that a "hot hand" exists in basketball -- as a player, coach, and sport psych educator -- I do believe in the phenomenon, but not for some existential sake. Rather, for pure basketball sake. Simply knowing that practice and performance sometimes fuse perfectly and allow a player to shine.

Ray Allen was hot in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. But not out of luck. His display cannot be contrived as a series of penny flips. Or a string of randomness.

Allen has the physical and mental aptitude to put together such an exposition -- an awe-inspiring record eight 3-pointers made in the finals -- and tonight he happened to be placed in situations that allowed him to knock the LA lights out. It's understandable that hot hands tend to cool quickly. As players knock down a couple jumpers, their self-efficacy (situational self-confidence) increases. Because of that seemingly advantageous fluctuation, they want the ball and the next shot. They believe they are rolling into the zone. And, more often that not, according to the research, they miss because the degree of difficultly shoots up as quickly as their next attempt.

Unfortunately for them, the next field goal try may be an off-balance jump shot. Or a contested 3-pointer. Or perhaps a fade away from the corner. Or a ridiculous leaner. All things considered, the shot isn't like the first two. If it falls through the net, they really are considered hot. If it misses, end of scorching streak -- just like the classic NBA Jam video game.

Balanced. Comfortable. In the flow of the offense. All ideas that coaches preach. Good shots born of structure and teamwork. Shots that put teammates in positions to rebound. Shots that place the other four companions in good spaces, and shots that are created because of good spacing.

These are the scenarios that Allen discovered himself in. Prime real estate on the ultimate stage. He practiced -- and always does practice -- those shots from those spots hours prior to tip-off. That is his ritual. His pregame habit, bordering on obsessiveness. Warm-up to a point of complete control. Put himself in the right frame of mind and his body in the right moments in time. Get balanced. Become comfortable. Make himself feel good going into the game.

And there he was. Ready. Not in foul trouble. Getting touches. Enjoying the moment. And soon to be in a record-breaking rhythm.

His 3-point attempts were smooth. They came from kick outs and transition opportunities. And quintessential set up situations from the offense. A drive and find. A pull up at the perfect pace. A misdirection and screen. Balanced. Comfortable. In the flow of the offense.

With Allen's conditioning level, shooting mechanics, and belief in doing what he does best, he demonstrated what it means to be hot -- and maintain the heat for a half by replicating the previous shot as best as possible. For a game that changes so rapidly with various defenses being concocted to try and slow the heat source, the variance in Allen's shot selection was minimal. And so he continued to remain balanced, comfortable, and in the flow of the offense.

Doc Rivers knew it. Rajon Rondo knew it. And they delivered the ball to the player who knew it. Simple as that.

Time to Touch

Knuckle taps. Fist bumps. Rear slaps. All out embraces. Ridiculous amounts of high fives and daps at the free throw line. Pre-game huddles with players in boundary breaking proximity. Even handshakes and hugs with opponents that are sought out by fierce competitors. And it looks like there is more reason for all than just an entertaining and congratulatory montage or homely hello.

So says this research about the impact of a simple touch and the relationship between physical actions and mental comfort.

Not only is Kevin Garnett one of the most intense players, he is also, um, the touchiest. Go Green.

Interesting concepts for team building and self-efficacy enhancement, especially if the touching is shown to be a predictor of success. Imagine spring training or preseason now.

Study Time Creates Kobe Time

Sport psychologists are often called upon to help athletes improve levels of confidence. Specifically, consultants tend to work with a player's self-efficacy, or one's situational self-confidence. Self-efficacy refers to how an athlete feels about himself in certain circumstances, not necessarily his overall feeling in sport. For instance, a basketball player may be extremely confident driving to the hole, yet have lower efficacy on the perimeter (think Derrick Rose).

While trying to make a player more efficacious in situations, psych pros may employ various techniques, namely mastery experiences, performance accomplishments, verbal persuasion, emotional feedback, and, for the purpose of this post, vicarious experiences. Watching Kobe Bryant on Saturday, I couldn't help but think about his development, especially about his growth as a player while modeling (or vicariously improving) via Michael Jordan. Kobe has mentioned that he spent countless hours studying MJ. As a young player, he viewed Jordan's games, analyzed his moves, watched the way he interviewed, and more.

Kobe's performance this weekend only substantiated his study habits. After a dismal performance a couple of days before when he shot line drives, looked flat and fatigued, and didn't muster the showtime energy we are guilty of expecting nightly, Bryant came out fully fueled and focused (I guess the readers are correct in this site's latest poll). Elevating with a smooth stroke, eluding double-teams, and escaping Utah with a key win, Kobe seemed to become his powerful predecessor.

Many have commented on Kobe's striking way of looking like Mike on the court, in the air, even in the press room. But this day, he was him -- from the look in his eyes to the MJ patented fade-away to the intense smirk as it he was thinking, "You can't guard me." What really got me was the arm extension to complete a teammates' slap of a "five" as he strutted to the free throw line. The fluid movement that Michael made cool was eerily transplanted into Kobe's frame. My gosh, is that the old G-O-D in basketball shoes that Larry Bird reflected on after 1986's 63-point explosion, only reincarnated on the west coast?

It was as if Kobe prepared for the game by watching the famous Spike Lee "Double Nickel" staging at MSG or, better yet, threw in a DVD of one of Jordan's breathtaking takedowns of the Jazz in the late 90's. Was Bryant's mind ticking with images of a Mike-licking as he dribbled and sliced and soared and rebounded? Did he recall the long days of dutiful workouts and dreams of greatness as he zoned in on his uncontestable attack? It surely appeared that way, like he was re-creating moves from his mentor's days more than a decade ago. And with each point and masterful display of fundamentals -- yes, fundys combined with his athleticism are what allowed him to look so darn good, as in the ability to create space off a screen or refusal, to ball swing through in his triple-threat, to change direction with perfect footwork off the bounce -- he gained more efficacy, which, in turn, translated to global confidence and Lakerworld domination.

I wonder how Phil Jackson interprets it all...

The Psychological Ingredients of a Coach

The Crossover Movement recently reviewed research by the United States Olympic Committee that centered around coaching. Interestingly, sport psychology was found to be the fourth most important area in "understanding body of knowledge", preceded by skills, strategies, and teaching. Meanwhile, twenty insights signify coaches' emphasis on topics in sport psychology (see below, with corresponding sport psych topics in blue).

It seems, despite what coaches are trained in, or what the results show as most important, the mental game and the psychology of performance are underestimated -- yet highly significant, thus highlighted throughout. Perhaps, at the very least, sport psychology needs to be considered a major component of the "skill" category.

1. Ability to instill belief/trust/confidence in athletes - self-efficacy
2. Big Vision, balanced by ability to set and adjust goals - goal setting and extrinsic motivation
3. Care about others more than self - cohesion
4. Perseverance and a sense of humor - personality
5. Attention to skills development of athletes; tailored to athlete needs - attentional zones
6. Precise training techniques and coaching on a daily basis - attentional zones and flow
7. Ability to filter - attentional zones
8. Problem solving orientation - decision making
9. Ability to observe without judgment - perspective taking
10. Desire to improve through knowledge - intrinsic motivation
11. Quality Decision makers under pressure - decision making and anxiety regulation
12. High level of integrity and fairness - character
13. Ability to multi-task with equal amounts of high energy - attentional zones
14. Knowledgeable and with an ability to transfer knowledge simplistically - effective communication
15. Focused on the process - attentional zones and flow
16. Creative, open minded to new ideas and approaches - personality and intrinsic motivation
17. Having thick skin - resiliency, anxiety regulation, and mental toughness
18. Flexible, but decisive - leadership ability and personality
19. Excellent instructional skills, ability to deliver messages - effective leadership and communication
20. Understands critical zone training - information processing and flow
    

Talking to Yourself Doesn’t Mean You’re Crazy

Remember Karl Malone’s mouth moving mantra before he shot free throws later in his career? Ever notice Tiger chattering pre-putt or post-shank? If you’ve been watching various Olympics events, you may have observed many athletes muttering or moving their lips as they get ready to run, swim, or vault.

American hurdler Lolo Jones (who wanted to put pressure on her opponents in the 100m semifinals) and others have mentioned that they talk to themselves to keep them psyched up for the imminent and intense competition. No, the talking doesn’t mean they’re insane – it’s actually a mental technique that athletes utilize to stay at the top of their game.

In psychological terms, the talking is referred to as self-talk (not a very complicated term, huh?). It’s also known as verbal persuasion, a component of Albert Bandura’s self-efficacy theory. Verbal persuasion, which can be initiated by oneself or a third party, entails triggers or statements of encouragement that are repeated to a person with the idea that, the more one hears something, the more one starts to believe it. In a sense, one learns to develop or maintain a mental rhythm of vocab.

Athletes use self-talk or verbal persuasion to increase self-efficacy (otherwise known as situational self-confidence). They may also employ self-talk to motivate, focus, or regulate athletic arousal. Often, self-talk is applied during a mental routine to prepare the body for movement or combat negative thoughts and unfavorable emotions.

There has been a wealth of research in psychology that supports the advantages and usefulness of self-talk, especially when combined with other peak performance strategies.

Athletes are involved in running conversations with themselves all of the time, but they may not even realize it. They really need to ask, “What am I saying and is it effective?” The heightened awareness will help them create a mental game plan, and hopefully one that parallels the 80-20 approach emphasizing the positives.

Learn to talk to yourself the right way -- it's a valuable performance tool. At the very least, tell yourself that.