Hey guys, im 17 yrs old from australia and i am entering my final year of highschool next year . I play the two spot and my coach who is an ex scout reckons i'm mid major division one talent . There is only one thing thats stopping and that is i cant transfer the way i play in scrimmages into a game . During scrimmiages i feel unstoppable , killer first step , good handles and just like a complete player . In games im the total opposite , I feel lost on the court, im either out of control or i'll use incorrect footwork and My jumper wont feel the same. Its not just game pressure , also during the warmups i feel like a diffrent player . I've worked out with some quality coaches and they also agree that i'm college material . i can scrimmage with the best of them but it just doesn't click for me during games . I'm looking at the option of going to a prep school to get more exposure and game experince because right now thats what i feel i lack the most . I just want to be able to think about my play in the game and make the right decisions like in practice . Mentally i feel i can flat out dominate the competion . I see the gaps in the d but physically i just cant do it . Please help me guys before its too late .

If what you are telling me is accurate, you are suffering from "analysis paralysis." You think about what you are doing so much that you can't do it. You are having a stress reaction to your lack of confidence and insecurities.

In addition to hundreds of other players I have worked with over a dozen NBA players. I recommend to all of them that they read the book "Zen Golf." It is a book written about golf, but more importantly it is a book about thinking and trusting yourself. It won't solve your problem but might give you some insight as to how to deal with it.

In reality (and I have a great deal of education in the area) your problem is not a basketball issue, it is an emotional and self-image issue. Drills and outside motivation will not help you until you (and ONLY YOU) decide that you will not allow these issues to disturb you and just go out and play. Enjoy the game, appreciate what you DO accomplish as opposed to worrying about what you don't.

Sports is an exercise in failure, it's how you deal with it that determines how good you are. If you shoot 40% from 3 you are considered a great shooter. In that case, great shooters miss 60% of the time. The greatest competitor of all time (in my opinion), Tiger Woods, has a 23% winning percentage. That means he loses 77% of the time. The next highest is 9% (Jack Nicklaus). He lost 91% of the time. Do you think they worry about things that don't go well? I nthe words of many great Australians, "NOT BLOODY LIKELY."

Make a decision how good you are and go out and play

There is not a lot to add to the last post... relax a little bit, go out and have some fun. Don't worry about where you can or can not play next.... let the game come to you and when you see your opportunity... go for it.

I use the example of baseball players.... they make millions hitting .300... failing 70% of the time... sports are made up of mistakes so don't worry about yours.

Great posts by Don and ken. But let me ask you this, when you write to us you seem to have great confidence in telling all your attributes, you say that you are a mid major div. 1 player. Can you give me some of your stats such as height, years played, level of play and some game stats. I have several contacts in the states at different colleges and universities that would be glad to give you a look if you have a tape of your play..thanks Coach Mac