The NBA is a major league in the U.S that attracts thousands of fans and wagers. As such, it’s fun to watch and bet on whether you’re in person or at an online casino. The players put in so much physically, mentally, and emotionally to make the game attractive.
Pressure manifests in different ways, and most basketball players know how to handle it effectively. Usually, finals and knockouts have a lot of pressure for both players and coaches. The NBA has the most pressure from fans, wagers, coaches, and team management.
Still, the players look calm and composed. So how do they handle the pressure, and what stressors do they face?
Table of Contents
Common Types of Stress NBA Players Experience
Performance Pressure
Basketball is a competitive activity, and performance keeps players on the pitch. Most NBA players are under pressure to perform. Coaches want results, and the management wants more sponsorship deals. This is a kind of performance pressure that pushes players to their limits. It may be productive or counterproductive, depending on how players receive it.
Psychological Stress
Psychological stress is the feeling of emotional pressure from the player’s environment. NBA players are not superhumans, and they experience family issues and all the social problem issues. These stressful events bottle up and have a huge effect on the player. Excessive stress may predispose players to stroke, panic attacks, and mental illness.
Competitive Stress
The NBA is a competitive league, and players have many details to attend. Being a physical sport, basketball players go through intense drills to stay at the highest level of their game. How players react during a stressful event determines how to deal with the situation.
7 Ways the Players Handle Pressure
Focusing on the Positive Side of the Pressure
Most of the pressure NBA players face is around the teams and individual performance. Usually, games end in wins, losses, and draws. Players have learned to accept results and move on. Mostly, losing obvious games may hurt, but players are taught not to hold on to the bad results but bounce back and focus on the coming games.
Finding a Hobby
NBA players enjoy different hobbies. Most of them hop to a movie theater to catch the latest releases, while others move to their favorite joints to grab a warm massage. Regardless of the hobby one chooses, it helps them cool down.
Adapting to the Game
Some games come with the intense pressure that most NBA players find overwhelming. Usually, the players find out the triggers of pressure and, together with the coach, figure out ways to adapt to the game. For instance, most NBA players may play defensively for an attacking team. This way, they handle the excess pressure from the opponents effectively.
Early and Adequate Preparations Before The Game
Early preparations are key when players know that they’ll be playing against a tough opponent. Most NBA players choose to relax for a few hours while others listen to music. Playing against a physical team is one thing that pressures most NBA players. However, early preparations through hard training boost players’ confidence. Therefore, most players opt to prepare early to avoid the last-minute rush.
Consulting Coaches
Coaches have been trained to help players handle pressure. Management knows that working under pressure may produce negative results. As such, coaches with team management help players who need assistance work on personal stress. All NBA teams have psychologists who assist in handling the players’ mental health.
Take Time Off The Play
It is a good habit to take time off the play and relax. Most players explore new players on expensive vacations. This occurs mostly at the end of the season. This helps players relax and ponder the previous season as they gear up for the next season.
Staying Calm
The goal of pressure is to trigger emotions. Once a player gets emotional, making mistakes becomes easy. Therefore, players learn to remain calm when things begin to escalate. The calmness creates a comfortable environment that supports players. Some may sit in a room alone while others play a favorite sports game.
Verdict
Pressure is common, and NBA players feel it. Usually, competitive games impact a lot of pressure on players. The good news is that the NBA league provides all the guidelines to easily help players move through pressure. Each team has a support department where players can seek help.
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