What if the problem isn't skill — it's connection?


Hi Reader,

I recently had the pleasure of joining Coach George Vaz on the Transforming Basketball Podcast.

I wanted to share it with you directly because I think it speaks right to what so many basketball families deal with.

We talked about mental performance coaching — what it actually is, why it matters, and most importantly, how your young athlete can start using these skills right now.

Here's some of what we covered:

✅ Why mindfulness and breathing aren't just "soft" skills — they're tools elite players like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James have used to stay composed under pressure

✅ How to use intention-setting before a game (a simple notebook trick that works!)

✅ Why it's so hard for young athletes to practice mental skills on their own — and what coaches and parents can do to help

✅ The #1 thing that instantly improves any practice environment: clear communication

If you've ever watched your child spiral after a mistake, get rattled by a bad call, or struggle to shake off a rough game — this episode is for you.

🎧 LISTEN NOW

As always, feel free to reply if anything from the episode sparks a question. I'd love to hear what resonates with you.

Thank you,

Mike

***

P.S. If you feel like your athlete knows what to do but hasn't put the puzzle pieces together...

You may not need more information.
You likely need a better connection.

👉 If you want help with that, you can reply to this email or book a time by hitting the big orange button below.

Michael Huber Mental Performance Coaching

This community is for young athletes, parents, and coaches who want to understand what mental performance coaching really looks like on the inside.

Read more from Michael Huber Mental Performance Coaching

In case you missed this past Sunday's story about a rising high school freshman basketball player who described going on autopilot mid-game — here it is: 👉 In case you missed it *** One Thought. I talk a lot about reset routines. Having a planned response to bounce back from mistakes is critical for young athletes. However, the routine is useless without the awareness it's needed in the first place. If a young athlete doesn't recognize they’ve drifted, the routine never fires. That's the real...

"I was on autopilot." That's what a rising high school freshman basketball player (we'll call him Damien to protect the innocent) told me earlier this week. He wasn't talking about his drive to the gym. He was talking about what happens inside his head when things start to go sideways in a game. Something doesn't go his way. He feels bad about himself. His attention turns inward. And then he's stuck — watching the game happen around him instead of competing in it. Sound familiar? I had my own...

A few days ago, I found myself saying something to a client that I never expected to say. "I don't feel very good at my job right now." And I meant it. Not because the athlete wasn't listening.Not because he didn't care.Not because he wasn't working hard. In fact, he might be one of the most committed athletes I've ever worked with. He's spent years working toward his goal of being a Division I pitcher. He's trained relentlessly. Made sacrifices. Pushed through setbacks. He's done everything...