“Gotta get into character.” - Chris Hyppa
How do you get locked in and ready to perform?
After the 2024 Olympics, I watched a video of professional basketball player Nigel Hayes talking about watching Steph Curry and Lebron James meditating before their games. He said after going through his warmup, Lebron would use a meditation app to lock in for about 20-25 minutes before going out and playing.
In the comments below the video, basketball trainer Chris Hyppa posted, ’Gotta get into character.’ This resonated with me. It says the best athletes aren't just physically prepared; they take the time to prepare mentally so they can tap into a mindset of confidence, resilience, and toughness.
Nigel said every athlete he observed on Team USA’s basketball team did their own thing to get locked in, like meditating, listening to music, and some even playing Candy Crush. This diversity of approaches highlights that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to getting into character. The key is finding what works best for you.
A guy I played with in college would close his eyes for 10 minutes and visualize the entire first quarter, from the tip to the buzzer. He said when he did this, he felt more comfortable and confident and less nervous because he felt like he had already played the game.
Whether it's a quiet moment of reflection, an energizing playlist, or even a seemingly trivial game, the goal is the same: to achieve peak mental and emotional readiness before stepping into the spotlight.
It's about finding that mental edge that allows you to perform at your absolute best when it matters most.
Question of the Day: What are your go-to strategies for getting locked in and ready to perform?
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