The Inner Game of Basketball

“Winning is overcoming obstacles to reach a goal, but the value in winning is only as great as the value of the goal reached.”
~ Timothy Gallwey, The Inner Game of Tennis

Hey Reader!

Is your mind sabotaging your game?

This summer, I read The Inner Game of Tennis by Timothy Gallwey, published in 1974. It made me realize our minds are messy, anxious, and way too critical. (If that’s not you, email me your secret!)

I can't believe we're still trying to figure this out after 50 years! If you do decide to read the book, just swap tennis for basketball. Same message; different sport.

Gallwey's big idea is Performance = Potential minus Interference. You’ve got loads of potential, but what’s holding you back? Interference. The noise in your head that says, “I need to impress my coach,” or “I've got to make this shot for my highlight video.” Once you stop listening to that noise, you can finally play free.

Gallwey writes that there are two separate games happening at once.

Outer game: dribbling, shooting, passing, defense.
Inner game: doubts, nerves, trying to impress.

He also says that we’ve all got “Self 1” (the critic in your head: “You’ll miss,” “Why did you make that pass?”) and “Self 2” (your body just playing, free from interference).

Most players think the fix is to work harder, train more often, and stay in the gym longer. But what if trusting yourself under pressure is the real answer? It’s not about trying harder; it's about silencing Self 1 so Self 2 can go to work.

That’s why some players crush it in practice but lock up in games. In practice, Self 1 is chill. Then you get in the game, and Self 1 takes over, which causes Self 2 to freeze.

We all have to stop judging and start observing.

Try this: Next time you miss a shot, don't react, move on without judgment. Adjust, but don't overthink. That’s how you learned to walk, talk, and shoot. You trusted yourself and the reps you put in.

Forget the small stuff. Your basketball career is fleeting! So go out there, play your game, and don't forget to have fun.

Tucker
Overseas Professional Player

P.S. If you want to go deeper into this topic with me and other coaches and members - and get feedback and advice on your game - join the Hacking Hoops community at Hackinghoops.com. It's free for 30 days!

3 Hacks From Me

Hack 1: Observe Without Judgment

When you miss a shot, don’t label it as “good” or “bad.” Just notice what actually happened. Were you closely contested? Did you hold your follow-through? Allow Self 2 to make the adjustments without the interference of Self 1’s inner critic.

Hack 2: Reframe Mistakes as Information

A mistake isn't about your value as a player. It's just data about what happened. Treat it like feedback. Figure out what caused the turnover or the miss, make a mental note, and get ready for the next play. Nothing more, nothing less.

Hack 3: Read "The Inner Game of Tennis"

The lessons Gallwey writes about apply to any sport. It’s 192 pages, so a quick read, with practical ways to quiet the mental noise and play with more freedom. Try one tip in practice, or a game, and see what changes.

*View all of our past emails at hackinghoops.kit.com/posts

2 Questions for Growth

When did I last play “in the zone,” and what was different about my body and my mind that day?
If I’m honest, what’s one thing I’m self-conscious about in games that I'm good at in practice? How would I play if I let go of that worry for just one quarter or one game?

Reply to this email and let me know!