Jacob was a really talented player. Some days he was completely unguardable. The problem was that it wasn’t every day.

When he was good, he was really good. When he was bad, it was almost pointless to have him in the game.

The good news (which was also the bad news) was that it was pretty easy to tell which Jacob I was going to get.

All I had to do was observe how he played the first 4 minutes of the game. If he started off well, it was going to be a great night. If he started off poorly, not so much.

For instance, he might miss a shot or throw a bad pass. When that happened, one of two things followed. He might display his disgust with himself, preventing him from getting back on defense. Or, if he did hustle back, he’d often commit a foul out of frustration.

Jacob's issue was that he couldn’t let go of mistakes. While I’m highlighting him, I’ve coached multiple players over the past 20 years who struggle with the same mental hurdle.

In our training articles, we talk a lot about drills you can do to make yourself a better player. However, if you let mistakes take you out of your game, that work is for naught.

So, what can you do to get over that hurdle?

Why You Should Embrace One Of Coach K’s Favorite Phrases

Coach K was famous for his “next play” phrase. It became famous because it’s so true.

Think of it this way. Have you ever tried to miss a shot? Or course not. What can you do about a shot once it’s left your hand? Nothing.

So let it go. If the shot goes in, great. If not, move on. Same with a turnover. Yes, a turnover is a mistake. But failing to move onto the next play turns one mistake into two.

It’s often said that the best athletes have short memories. Basketball requires that. You don’t get :30 between plays like football. You have to immediately transition to the next play.

This is easier said than done, but it’s a separator. The good news is, it can be practiced.

Flush It And Forget It

Let’s start here - you are going to make mistakes. It doesn’t matter how good you are, they will happen. The question is, how quickly can you move on from them?

To get better at this, create a mistake response. A mistake response is an intentional action or phrase that quickly you perform when a mistake occurs.

Some people use a phrase, or “reset” word. When I was playing, I liked to say the word “clear” to myself after a missed shot or mistake. As I said it, I would briefly picture a blank wall. The combination of the word and image would help remove my focus on the mistake and put it back in the present moment.

All of this happened within a split second. Obviously, you can’t stop and close your eyes and meditate on your mistake!

While I used a reset word, I’ve seen other athletes who use a physical symbol. I read about a baseball player who would make a motion like flushing a toilet when they made an error in the field. To them, that symbolized “flushing” the mistake. 

I’ve heard of basketball players giving a quick tug on their jersey.

There’s not one right way to do it. It’s just important that you decide on a mistake response.

Whatever you choose will be subtle. Some players get very demonstrative when they make a mistake. I think they do this so people watching will think they really care. Unfortunately, it conveys the opposite message. It shows a lack of self discipline on the court.

But deciding on a response is not enough. You have to practice it. When I was playing, I would take a minute or two in my room and say the word ‘clear’ as I looked at the wall. This helped me correlate the phrase with the image.

If you’re using an action, you have to train and discipline yourself to do it when you’re practicing so that you’ll do it when you play.

The Mamba Mindset For Dealing With Mistakes

One of my favorite Kobe Bryant quotes is: “I’d rather go 0-27 than 0-9.” I love that because it speaks to the next play mentality.

Most players who miss their first handful of shots become hesitant to keep shooting.

Why? As long as they were good shots, why would you start doubting yourself?

The player who stays in the present moment knows that whether the last shot went in has no bearing on the next one. Every play is its own mini-game.

By staying in the moment and devoting 100% of your focus to that play, you enable yourself to give the best of yourself to your team.

You also allow the hard work you’ve put in on your skills to shine through.

Show yourself some grace and move past your mistakes. You and your team will be glad you did!

Take the Next Step at Breakthrough Basketball Camps

The ability to play present and bounce back from mistakes isn’t just about basketball—it’s about building resilience, confidence, and mental toughness that carry over into every area of life.

At our Breakthrough Basketball Camps, we don’t just focus on shooting, passing, and defense. We also teach athletes how to develop a strong mindset, handle adversity, and build lasting confidence on and off the court.

Through structured drills, real-game situations, and guided mentorship, players learn how to respond positively to mistakes, stay locked in on the next play, and approach challenges with the right attitude. Just as important, we emphasize life skills—discipline, teamwork, and self-leadership—that help young athletes grow as players and as people.

If you want your child to not only improve their basketball skills but also strengthen their mentality and confidence for life, we’d love to see them at one of our upcoming camps.

Learn more about Breakthrough Basketball Camps

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