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A Missed Shot That Changed Everything
I remember stepping to the free-throw line during a tight game, every eye in the arena on me—only to brick two shots in a row. My teammates looked deflated, and I felt a wave of embarrassment and confusion wash over me. I had practised free throws my entire life, yet in the heat of competition, something just didn’t click.
That moment made me realize I needed help, but I was unsure why.
The Three Stages of Awareness
Stage 1: Unaware
For years, I struggled to make shots under pressure or in games, never improving despite shooting thousands of shots. I assumed I just needed more reps, completely unaware that anxiety, stress, and unhelpful mental models were undermining my efforts. In my mind, I was doing everything in my power to train and prepare properly.
But being unaware means not even recognizing there’s a problem to solve. I spent entire seasons in college feeling frustrated, thinking this inconsistency was “normal.” With no clear sense of why I missed or how to fix it, there could be no growth.
Stage 2: Problem-Aware
Fast-forward to my first preseason as a pro with the Adelaide 36ers. We were facing the Perth Wildcats, and by halftime, I was 0-for-4 from beyond the arc. My head coach, Joey Wright, pulled me aside and said:
“You should try relaxing your face when you shoot.”
I almost laughed it off, but in the second half, I went 3-for-3 from the field. Realizing that stress and anxiety were sabotaging my shot was a lightbulb moment. I’d finally become problem-aware.
I knew I was dealing with game anxiety, but I didn’t yet have a solution. That meant it was time to study the problem.
Study
Other players and athletes have faced shooting woes and performance anxiety before me. I wasn’t the first, and I definitely wouldn’t be the last. That’s why there are already great books such as:
The Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy Gallwey
Relentless by Tim Grover
Mind Gym by Gary Mack
Peak Performance by Brad Stulberg & Steve Magness
I spoke with coaches, psychologists, and peers. I watched endless interviews and listened to podcasts. Each new insight reshaped my questions:
What have others done to conquer these struggles?
What worked and what didn’t?
How can I apply this directly to my own game?
Stage 3: Solution-Aware
Action
Armed with new knowledge, I took action. But not all advice worked for me. For example, Tim Grover’s “killer” approach—treating each game like life-or-death—didn’t help at all. I actually shot worse and enjoyed the game even less.
But through trial and error, I gathered data about what clicked and what didn’t. I tested different mindsets, visualization techniques, and emotional cues. The more I experimented, the closer I got to an approach that suited my personality and skill set.
Review
The review phase is where genuine transformation happens. In college, I tried to compensate for my poor game shooting by simply “doing more”—logging countless reps without questioning why I was missing.
By evaluating successes and failures, I gain fresh insights and refine my approach for the next time I take action. This feedback loop of learning and adaptation is what improvement looks and feels like.
A Simple Action Plan
Identify Your Blind Spot
Is it nerves, lack of focus, or negative self-talk? Pinpoint what you might be overlooking.
Study Others’ Solutions
Find a book, podcast, or mentor with firsthand experience solving a similar issue.
Test One New Technique
Try a different warm-up routine, a new breathing exercise, or a specific mental cue. Observe how it impacts your performance.
Review Regularly
Journal or record after games/practices. Ask, “What worked? What didn’t?” Adjust accordingly.
Embrace Trial & Error
Understand that copying a solution verbatim may not work—adapt others’ ideas until they fit your unique style.
Conclusion
Awareness is the core ingredient for lasting change. Without recognizing that anxiety, stress, or flawed mental models can derail your shot—no amount of practice will make you a clutch shotmaker.
This cycle of awareness, action, and reflection is the ultimate recipe for transforming from a frustrated shooter into a confident, in-game threat. Once you embrace this process, every miss becomes an opportunity on your path toward mastery.