Two Players, Two Mindsets...Which One Are You?

In my thirty years of coaching, I have worked with countless players. One season in particular, I had the honor of working with two great kids who approached the game differently. You have probably played with (or coached) these two types of players, or maybe you even see yourself in one of them.

(Names changed to protect the innocent)

Joe

Of the two players, Joe was the more talented. Bigger, stronger, better handles, a pure scorer all over the court.

However, every time he had a tough game, something in him shut down.

If the game wasn’t going his way or I corrected him, he would drop his head and become quiet and stop being aggressive.

As the season continued, he started to avoid taking on challenges; he’d guard weaker players, stop taking it aggressively to the basket, and pass off shot attempts that he had previously welcomed. While it wasn’t completely obvious, those who knew him could see he was different.

It wasn’t so much that Joe struggled; every player struggles at some point. The problem was he allowed those struggles to take over his game.

Mike

Mike may not have had the natural talent and skill that Joe had, but for every mistake he made, he’d shake it off and ask his coach, “What could I have done better there?”

He welcomed the tough defensive matchups and stayed after practice or came in early to work on his weaknesses. When I pushed him and needed him to step up, Mike did his best to meet the challenge, no questions asked. Mike’s natural position was combo guard/small forward, but at times I needed and trusted him to play point or even in the paint.

His response to those requests was a bit of a smile, a bit of a “are you crazy coach?” look in his eyes, always followed by a “ok coach”.

It’s not hard to guess which player had more success.

The difference wasn’t talent.

It wasn’t size.

It wasn’t skill.

It was mindset.

Joe had a fixed mindset, while Mike had a growth mindset.

Players With A Fixed Mindset:

• Avoid drills they are not good at.

• Make excuses after mistakes rather than owning them.

• Feel threatened by teammates who are improving faster than them.

• Try to prove coaches who give constructive criticism wrong rather than using that same energy to improve.

• Losing means that they are a loser. A bad shooting night means that they can’t shoot.

• Anything negative shuts them down.

  
  

Players With A Growth Mindset:

• Use their failures as fuel to get better.

• See challenges as a means for improvement, and they welcome the opportunity.

• A bad shooting night means that they need to adjust their game and try to make an impact differently.

• Accept constructive criticism and use it as fuel to improve.

Which Mindset Do You Fall Under?

If you aren’t sure, pay attention to how you respond to:

• Mistakes (missed shots, turnovers)

• Coach’s feedback

• Tough matchups

• Teammates who are improving and getting more attention/playing time than you

If you feel like you connect with Joe’s story, that’s ok; many athletes do. The important thing is to understand that this can change. Mindset is a skill that can be developed the same way a jump shot is through practice and self-awareness. A fixed mindset isn’t permanent. Just as a player can improve their shooting, ball handling, or defense, they can train themselves to respond differently.

How to Start Shifting Toward a Growth Mindset

1. Change the sentence you tell yourself after a mistake. Fixed mindset says, “I’m not a shooter.” Growth mindset says, “I’m not a shooter yet.”

One word. Completely different trajectory.

The mistake is the same either way, but what changes is how you view yourself. The word “yet” allows for future growth.

2. Ask the question Mike asked. “What could I have done better there?” isn’t self-criticism; it’s a tool.

It turns a bad possession into an opportunity to gather information to make yourself better.

Maybe it will change the next possession, maybe it will change the next game; either way, it opens the door for improvement.

3. Seek out the matchup you’d normally avoid. Growth doesn’t happen in your comfort zone.

If there’s a drill you dodge or a defender you’d rather not guard, that’s exactly where the biggest jump in your game will happen.

Stepping up to the challenge might result in initial failure (or maybe, just maybe, you will surprise yourself and others), but that initial failure is fuel to help you improve next time.

4. Separate the result from your identity. A bad shooting night is bound to happen to even the best shooters (just ask Steph Curry or Caitlin Clark).

Missing five shots in a row doesn’t make you “a bad shooter” any more than a hot streak makes you the greatest ever.

The players who find themselves playing this game for a long period of time understand that both great and bad performances will happen. The goal is how you respond in the right way when they happen.

Who Are You?

After some honest self-analysis, have you figured out the type of player you are?

While talent will get you noticed, mindset decides how far that talent actually takes you.

A hot streak only lasts so long; the question is, how do you react when you cool off?

So, ask yourself honestly: after your next mistake, are you going to be Joe, or are you going to be like Mike?

WANT TO TRAIN YOUR MENTAL GAME?

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