Momentum is all about psychology. The mental approach dictates how your players perceive what is going on around them, and triggers emotional responses that can impede physical performance, even well rehearsed (practiced) performance.  Coaches can manage psychology by understanding how each player responds to certain changes or cues given by the coach.

The Maryland men’s basketball came from 21 potions down at the half to beat NC State in the ACC quarterfinals. That win propelled them to an improbable ACC tournament championship (2004) and an automatic bid (their only hope) in the NCAA tournament. 

Clearly Maryland had no momentum early in the NC State game, and just as clearly they gained it and carried it to the end of the tournament. What happened? Maybe it was that NC State had an at large bid locked up and Maryland was desperate.  Desperation can do strange things.  To me, NC State will not go far in the tourney, as the ones who do move on always play with desperation.

Editorial aside, there are valuable lessons on both sides of the ball.

When you are down and out and momentum seems far away, coaches need to focus their players on the following:

1.       Trust the game plan – the other team is bound to fall to earth and things will average out.  But only if your players stick to your game plan. Manage the game accordingly but enforce your plan!

2.       Effort – they have to keep hustling, eventually a break will come their way that might turn the tide. Act on the slightest sign of diminished effort, and re-establish expectations.

3.       Don’t be afraid to substitute for a player who looks beaten, is not executing the game plan or is not showing max effort. Wholesale substitutions might trigger a change in energy on the floor and give the starters a chance to re-group.

4.       Break the comeback down in to small goals. “We want to be within 15 by the 10 minute mark, 9 by the 7, etc”  Then make a performance goal – “We can’t afford given up one more second chance basket the entire game – achieve that and we will get back into this.”  Single minded focus.

1.       Call time out immediately and set things straight – remind them of games like NC State vs. Maryland. Comebacks start one basket at a time. Challenge them to match the intensity of their opponent.

2.       Substitute to set an example – yank the player that does not turn things around, demand maniac effort from the sub.

3.       Stick with the game plan. Other than usual adjustments to counter the opposition, stick with what got where you are. Remind them of the game plan.

What if none of this works, the lid goes on your basket, the opponent is shooting into an ocean, you are clanking free throws, the lead has been cut from 25 to 9 with no end in site, the players are tight as drums…what do you do?

1.       Get your best player into his/her best spot to score from with a set play.  Take the focus off the score and put it on executing a perfect play in the offense.

2.       Set them free – change the defense if it suits your personal. Half court man not working? Pick up full court and raise the energy level? Try an unconventional zone?  Do something to get the players to change their mindset.

3.       Put your second five on the court and give them one minute to prove they belong for two. See what happens to the energy level. Tell them what will earn the second minute – cause a turnover, force a bad shot, no second shots allowed, etc.  The starters get a message, and when you send them back in, they understand what it takes to stay out there.

Every coach has things that work for him or her, these are suggestions for someone looking to change momentum.  The key is to frame your coaching to change the mental state of your team.  Remember you need to create these situations in practice – desperate attempts at comebacks, sudden defensive changes, coming back from 7 down with under two minutes, etc.  Simulate the situation in practice before you see it in a game atmosphere.