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Chapter Game Day

“Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.”

After an off-season of studying plays, training, and conditioning, or in season after practicing drill after drill, the day or night comes when it is time to put practice aside and play the game. In the chapters that follow, we will look at how to be physically and

mentally prepared to play, but on that given day, important steps are necessary to ensure all the tough hours of preparation are not wasted. Game day preparation is a key component to a basketball player’s success. Getting your “game face” on is a common sports expression, but

–– John Wooden,

UCLA Men’s Basketball Coach 1948-1975

UCLA coaching legend John Wooden

it captures an important aspect of being ready to play. Players need to be in the right mind-set to perform at their best, blocking out distractions to focus on the task at hand. And while ultimately that task is to win the

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