Series: Coaching the Mind – Part 3
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Academy: North Atlantic Basketball Academy (NABA)
Duration: 2 Weeks | July 2025
Role: Sport Psychologist
The Unscripted Moments
This final part of my NABA summer camp series isn’t about what I taught. It’s about what I observed and how the kids, often without realizing it, showed me about their behavior.
1. One person sets the tone
It only took one player, one high-five, one burst of energy, one moment of courage to change the mood for everyone. Kids mirror energy faster than adults. Sometimes, the atmosphere of the whole gym shifted because one player decided to show up differently.
2. Confidence is fragile and often social
The biggest block to confidence wasn’t ability. It was fear. Fear of what the other kids would think or say. Some players avoided taking another shot because of how they imagined the others would react. That fear of embarrassment was stronger than the fear of missing.
3. Identity without a roadmap
When I asked players to share their goals and who they wanted to become, they answered but they didn’t always know what it meant. This disconnection reminded me that wanting to improve isn’t enough without required actions. They need steps, not just slogans.
4. Shared goals create unexpected bonds
When kids with similar goals and/or mentalities were grouped together regardless of age, gender, or background, I saw something amazing: they clicked. There was unity, collaboration, and respect.
One of my favorite moments? When a group of older boys invited the girls at camp to play a game with them, no ego, no exclusion, just shared love for the sport.
5. Respect starts small
A “Hey, coach” and a quick fist bump meant more than they probably knew. Those small signs of respect helped build mutual trust and made the players more open to feedback, challenge, and connection. This action needed to be matched with the same energy and respect for the relationship to grow.
6. Competition never switched off
Especially among the older kids, everything was a competition, shooting drills, free throws, even breaks. But what stood out was this: The most composed players outperformed the most outwardly confident ones. During a free throw challenge, the calmest kid not the flashiest or the best shooter delivered under pressure.
7. Shyness isn’t permanent
By day three, the shyest players were laughing, participating, and even leading. Safety, time, and the right energy transforms people.
8. Peer support is powerful
When one player missed a shot and hung their head, another often stepped in to lift them up. Kids help each other regulate more than we think. Frustration appeared, but support often won.
9. Shared joy is a strength
There’s nothing wrong with laughing with players when the time is right. Some of the strongest bonds were built in moments of shared fun. Play is where joy lives, and joy is where safety grows. When the time is right, this is for us to decide and find out!
10. Mindset makes the difference
The kids who asked “why” or “how” were the same ones who tried again after failing and succeeded. Their mindset created a bridge between their goals and their actions. Mental and physical growth went hand in hand. Understanding gives meaning to the task.
11. Positive reinforcement is essential
We sometimes assume players know when they’re improving but they don’t. They need coaches to say it out loud:
“That was better than last time.”
“You’ve improved your shot.”
“Your work has paid off!”
Recognition fuels momentum.
12. Humor as a shield
Some kids used jokes to mask discomfort.
One player, struggling with pull-ups, smiled and said:
“I think I did 10 or 11”
Everyone laughed with him but I saw the truth behind the words.
Humor can be both a bridge and a barrier.
13. Some concepts need more time
Kids understand mindset, communication, and focus quickly. But concepts like:
- Self-talk
- Locus of control
- Mistake recovery
…needs more explanation and modeling.
They’re not too advanced but they’re not intuitive either.
14. A Moment of Self-Awareness
One player, stood out.
He asked questions about how his behavior and perspective affected his game and how. He reflected on his game, personality, and social interactions a level of self-awareness rare at any age. Asking questions about the mental training in general showed curiosity that is rare and valuable. I won’t forget that.
Final reflection
This camp reminded me that sport psychology isn’t about fixing players it’s about seeing them and sometimes, there is more lessons than we teach them.
Missed the first two parts of the series?
Want to bring sport psychology to your athletes?
I work with academies, clubs and coaches to introduce mindset training in simple, accessible ways that connect with players of all levels.
Let’s connect or email me at thesisumindset@gmail.com
The Sisu Mind 
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