![]() In succumbing to them, our true talents and abilities are masked, never reaching their full potential. If we let them, the emotions of anger, self-pity and fear will overwhelm us and damage our productivity. It’s easy to get down and be ashamed for mistakes. I was back hustling on defense as though nothing had happened. Five seconds after I missed that shot it was a distant memory in my mind. What’s the best way to react to embarrassing moments? I always coached my players to respond the way I did after blowing that lay-up. Step 6: Coach sees it and makes a substitution. They become intimidated by game situations and resist taking any risk (so as not to make another mistake). Step 5: Player is stifled by the prospects of another failure. Step 4: Player begins to show signs of hesitancy, nervousness and lack of aggression. Step 3: Player begins to think about making another mistake. Step 2: Play continues with no obvious impact on the player. I’ve seen it over and over though and, of the three, it’s the most crippling emotion with the potential to do long-term damage. Perhaps only a coach or maybe a parent who truly knows their athlete would see this unfolding. Their destination also quickly becomes the bench.ģ. They become a useless cog in the machine, wallowing in their self-absorbed unhappiness. They become ashamed, sluggish, and mope around the court for the next few minutes. Another obviously identifiable emotion, as athletes hang their head after embarrassing moments. I have to pull them out of the game to let them simmer down.Ģ. I’ve seen kids get so angry at themselves for doing something “stupid” that they can’t function anymore on the court. Teeth clenched…eyes on fire…self-deprecating yelling. This emotion is an easy one to spot because it’s written all over the player’s face. What I see often from athletes are these three reactions:ġ. Three Negative Reactions to Embarrassing Moments What I love most is when an athlete reacts the way I did after my ill-fated shot attempt. What I notice most about embarrassing moments is not that they occur, but what the reaction is of the player who commits it. ![]() It’s hard not to laugh when a player on your team gets turned around, then confused and shoots the ball in the opponent’s basket. Some embarrassing moments just leave a coach shaking his head. I’ve witnessed other embarrassing moments along the way, from air balls to athletes stumbling over their own feet. I have been fortunate in the years since my gaffe to coach many high school basketball teams. I’d never experienced anything like that before on the court. Talk about one of my most embarrassing moments ever. To win a state championship has been my dream, and now I’m clanking the ball off the backboard, blowing a gimme lay-up?! What the heck! I’ve worked tirelessly for four years and pushed myself beyond reason for this type of moment. How could this happen? I’m a senior…co-captain of the team…leading scorer…MVP. Then, as I approached the goal and jumped with the ball extended in one hand, the unthinkable occurred… This is clearly leading to two points as an open lay-up awaits. All of their team’s defenders are trailing behind me as I hear the crowd’s cheering begin to swell. Pounding the ball into the floor, I streak forward, gaining speed with each step. In a split second, I find myself on the receiving end of a pass with nothing but hardwood and our basket in front of me. Noticing an opening, I move from my defensive position up the floor. Suddenly a player from our team steals the ball. My teammates and I are playing defense in the second quarter of our private school state championship basketball game. Wonder if Larry Legend every had an embarrassing basketball moment?
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