Develop your "Mamba Mentality"

Kobe Bryant will be always be known for his dedication and loyalty to the game of basketball. Coming into the league as a teenager fresh out of high school forced him to adapt to the mans game rather quickly. His determination to be the best in the game and to better his craft of basketball everyday is what raised him to the top. His famously developed mindset during play is second to none and is adopted by a countless number of ball players across the country.

Kobe winning his 5th Championship as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2010

This is a meditative practice by no means. I personally am not a fan of the inspirational goo-gah of those sorts, in sports at least. But with any sport, thought will bring forth to you an image of bodies colliding, sweat, masculinity, competitiveness and true fight. Some couldn't care less about soap opera pre-game speeches. Many athletes don't care much for a pep talk or some mushy encouragement. "Mamba Mentality" is more of mental and competitive code that you live by on the court. The Mamba Mentality created by Kobe Bryant or the "Black Mamba," is what helped him keep his laser focus and fearlessness

throughout a basketball game.

Kobe Bryant says in his own words, "To sum up what Mamba Mentality is , it means to be able to constantly try to be the best version of yourself." He add, " It's a constant quest to try to better today than you were yesterday." That means learning from your mistakes, learning from your failure, and blocking out everything everything and be in the moment during completion. Leave your fear at the door and be willing to do whatever it takes to develop and be your absolute best!

Be willing to push your mental and physical limits. The mentality is carried through the locker room the practice floor, and the of course in the actual game. Ask questions, be a student of the game. Look for resources to skills to your arsenal. Learn from watching the pros do it on tv, from your peers playing pick up ball, and coaches. Be determined to continually grow and practice what you learn with focus. The mentality requires also passion. You must have passion for the game of basketball which includes the hardships of the game, practicing, and coming back injury. Kobe's passion admitted obsession! For Kobe to become the greatest basketball player in the NBA, he must train and play with an obsession for all that the game encompasses. He'd wake up early in the morning before all of his competitors for the love of the game and start his practice aside from the team's.

Kobe Bryant never let anything or any one get him out of his zone during a game. He would go through mental reps in his head about how he would execute a play when he gets the ball. He would never dwell on mistakes. He could miss 10 shots in a row but then still hold confidence and be relentless in enforcing himself in the game. Throughout his career, he has always played his relentless style of play and never gave or changed up. Kobe, throughout his career, has dealt with a number of injuries: achilles tear, broken fingers, and other minor injuries. It took resilience on his part to work and come back from these injuries. Heck! He even played with some of these injuries. He could have quit after these aching injuries. To come back from these injuries is one thing, but to be able to still physically be able to perform at the same high level and even trust his body to take on the tuff fight of an NBA season takes some serious Mamba Mentality! Lastly, attainment of mamba mentality takes fearlessness. Never back down from even the best of opponents. No moment was to big for Kobe Bryant, as he is well know to be on of the best closers in basketball. There aren't too many people choose before Kobe to attempt the last shot of a game to win it.

Follow the 5 pillars: be passionate obsessed, relentless, resilient, and fearless and boost yourself mentally past your competitors and develop your mamba mentality! This practice made Kobe one of the best to ever play the game and it can work wonders for you as well!