Q&A for How to Prepare for a Basketball Game

Remind yourself that you're completely ready for what's to come. You're only nervous because you've worked hard on the court and you want to do well in the game. If you weren't nervous that would be more concerning!

Convince your teammates not to be afraid. Play hard defense, pass in offense, and just play as well as you can. Even if you lose, life goes on.

Nerves show that you care abut the game, but they can be a horrible feeling. Try doing something that takes your mind off of the game, such as: listening to music, talking with your teammates, or daydreaming.

Make sure you are up early enough, get a good, light breakfast and remember to drink water in the morning. Maybe even take a little jog before the game to get your body warmed up. No matter what the outcome is and how your team has done in the previous games, remember to keep your head high and don't give up.

Try to not think about being nervous -- pretending confidence can go a long way toward helping you to feel that way genuinely. Also, do not eat before the game so you won't have a full stomach while you're running around.

Jumping for the ball around the yellow 1-point line gives you an extra advantage of getting the ball in rebounds. Remember to bring the ball down and hard into triple threat so others can't steal it from you.

You should listen to music that pumps you up! Talk with your teammates and shoot around to prepare for the game.

Stand out as a leader in practice, always be the open pass, and try to give your team advice. Most importantly, always stay open. Practice tricks and strategies with your team in order to accomplish this.

Practice with someone ripping the ball and boxing out. Do training with a coach, if you have a coach, and ask them if you can do some drills the help you get stronger and tougher.

Yes. Your jersey will show other players and spectators which team you belong on.

Work on pushing up the ball hard and jumping straight up, not forward. After plenty of practice, you will be able to master the three pointer. See more details at How to Shoot a Three Pointer .

So your coach can know if he needs to do any adjustments in case you are absent.

In this situation, either you dodge the player who's marking you or hit the ball in such a way that it touches the person who is marking you then goes outside. Make sure it seems unintentional.

Make sure you don't make yourself heavy by drinking too much. Jave a sufficient amount of water to keep you from becoming dehydrated.

Listen to music to hype you up before games and practices and to distract yourself from that thought. Just shoot around and forget about the negativity.

Motivate yourself and your teammates by saying these exact words, "I believe that we will win," repeatedly as loud as you can.

You have to shake them. If they're taller and bigger than you, odds are they are slower. Hit them with an in-and-out, then crossover and it will displace them.

Just go in with the attitude that you are the most talented and skillful player on the court, and that you can take on whatever opponent you are facing.

I suppose it depends on how bad your ankle is and how much you're willing to risk a larger injury.

Work on your ball handling, and ask the coach if they have any last minute pointers for you. If you have time at home, practice shooting, with a hoop if you have one, or a trash can if you don't.

Always think of the positive things and you will play well. Don't doubt or second guess yourself in the game. Drive to the basket more often.

Usually the coach talks for a bit and discusses strategies for the next game, and often the players get together afterwards.

Work on your three pointers until you are comfortable shooting them. Also, look to pass and cut.

Practice and repetition is the key. Shooting is just muscle memory.

Try to conserve your energy. Don't go full power, and don't try to do super special moves until your main game so that you have enough energy.

Meditate for about 15 minutes before you leave for the game. That way you can clear your mind and focus on playing and not on your nerves/anxiety about the game.

I would recommend that you work out and do some dribbling drills before the game. I would also recommend that if you have time to go to the basketball court, or have one at home, you practice shooting.

You should eat a healthy but not super filling breakfast and drink lots of water. Then mentally prepare yourself with music and maybe with some ball handling drills.

Try to split your before the game time in half. Use one half for dynamic stretches and stretching. Use the other half to shoot around and practice ball handling.

Take a moment to think about what you are doing and why you are doing it. Maybe even sit down for a moment and drink your water. Try to get hyped by talking with your teammates and doing some drills on the court before the game. Listen to your coaches when you huddle up to talk before the game, their advice will help you. It's okay to be nervous, that just shows that you care about the outcome of the game.