Basketball is a graceful sport that rewards players with athletic ability and physical skill. Basketball also punishes players who are easily intimidated. The game can be extremely physical, and shying away from contact can leave you intimidated and ineffective. Improving physical and mental toughness helps you stand up to the opposition and play better basketball.
Strength Training
You have to be physically fit to avoid being intimidated in basketball, so get in the gym and add some muscle. Getting too bulked up can hurt your shooting and ability to get up and down the court, so do not lift excessive amounts of weight. Start a training program and do workouts such as bench presses, bar dips and bicep curls to add upper body strength. Squats, jump squats and calf raises are good exercises to build up your legs for basketball. Upper and lower body strength enables you to give and take physical contact without backing down. Physical strength also improves your overall game and builds confidence in players who are easily intimidated.
Mental Toughness
Basketball is a difficult sport to play, so accept failure. Shrug off missed or blocked shots, stay focused if the player you are guarding blows by for an easy basket and do not hang your head after turning the ball over. Opposing players can sense when you are down and turn up the intimidation. Focus on the positive aspects of your game and quickly forget all of the negatives.
Ear Plugs
Listen to your coach and teammates during a basketball game. Tune out opposing players. Talking and yelling is a big part of basketball, and legendary players such as Larry Bird and Michael Jordan were famous for verbally intimidating opposing players. Do not listen to opponents that "talk trash" on the court. Block out the overly dramatic yells and screams that are commonplace after big baskets, dunks, rebounds and blocked shots. Filter out all the noise and concentrate on your own responsibilities during the course of the game.
Play with Courage
Bumps and bruises are part of basketball, so anticipate postgame soreness. Playing scared can lead to more serious injuries because you won't be ready to absorb physical contact. Be aggressive on the floor at all times while staying under control. Get proper defensive position and draw a defensive charge. Taking a charge gives your team the basketball and shows the opposing team you are not afraid of contact. Work on your timing and jumping ability and block a shot. Use your speed and strength to take the ball away from your opponent. Drive hard to the basket and get a clean shot or draw a foul.
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