Whether it's one big win or multiple small wins, there is a right time for celebration. In sports, the competition can be fierce, so you have to learn how to celebrate your victories. One of the most important things to remember is that a win is a win; even if it's a big one. It doesn't mean anything if you don't continue to strive for more success in the future.
In any game, there are three phases to focus on. The pregame, the game, and the postgame. You have to make sure you give all three your full attention. You want to give praise where it's due, but also want to be encouraging so you keep pushing yourself to improve.
When the game starts, you have to know what you want out of the match. You may think that you're in the zone, with your team leading the score, etc. But before the ball goes out of bounds, you have to make sure you check the boards to make sure you've covered the width of the court. If not, you'll either be whistled for a foul or get an extra point. That's something you have to think about, even before the game even starts.
Once the play has started, the first thing you want to focus on is celebrating. That means you have to make sure you do all your celebrations right. For example, when you get a steal, you have to immediately jump up and attempt to block the ball. If you don't, you run the risk of being called for a foul. Don't try to make up a reason why you did it, but focus on blocking the shot.
Also, when a rebound is made, you have to immediately celebrate with your teammates. Make sure they know you are celebrating. But don't stop the celebration until the play is over. You don't want to get called for a technical foul, which can end the game for you and give the other team a much needed equal opportunity to take advantage of another opportunity.
And lastly, when you block a shot, don't go overboard with your celebrations. You might get silly cheering or even called for a technical foul. Focus on continuing to protect the basket and don't let your emotions get the best of you. That can lead to bad shots and a potentially damaging loss.
Now, obviously, you don't have to wait until after every win to celebrate. In fact, if you feel like you haven't really done enough to share your achievements with the team, take some time to look back at your wins and talk to the coach. Sometimes, we all need a pat on the back from somebody who knows. So don't hesitate to share how you took part in a win.
Celebrating your wins is an important part of being a great athlete. Don't let them go to waste. Make time now to celebrate your victories so the next time you step on the court you'll be ready to take charge and make some history.
You never want to be too focused on the past. You're much better off focusing on the present and future. And while you certainly don't want to brag about past glory, it can help you focus on the here and now. Plus, remember that these days everybody wants to hear about the most recent big win. Talk about it!
Even if you don't feel like you can give full credit, try to make some noise about it. Get out on the basketball court or the playground and start making noise. Go up against some of your friends and make it known who the winner is. The more attention you draw, the more likely people will stop by to check out the celebration.
When I was younger, I used to take time to celebrate when I won some basketball games. My coach at the time always told me to be ready for a celebration afterwards, but I didn't really take it seriously. As my playing days were winding down, I called my coach and let him know that I wanted to shake hands and wish him luck in his next game. He told me that he'd be right back in there "in a minute" and called me later to celebrate.
Don't be like those guys. Instead of sitting around and wishing for more wins, take some time to go out and celebrate! If you do, you'll find that the more you do, the more you love it! And just as importantly, you'll find that other people will be looking forward to having you around.
