How do Athletes Regain Confidence in a Shooting Slump?
Summary
Every shooter will experience a slump at some point. The difference between regaining form quickly and lingering frustration is mindset. Staying committed to your process, trusting your preparation, and holding onto your identity as a player are key to overcoming shooting slumps.
Where do your thoughts go when you are in a shooting slump? Do you become hyper-focused on mechanics and attempt to “fix your shot” mid-game?
Do you obsess over statistics, numbers, and outcomes instead of staying immersed in the game?
Do you judge yourself after a miss instead of moving on to your next opportunity?
All shooters, no matter if it’s basketball, hockey, soccer, lacrosse, or field hockey, eventually face a stretch where their goal production dips. Performance dips are a natural occurrence in sports, even when athletes maintain the same level of preparation and training.
The challenge for shooters in a slump is that there often appears to be no clear reason for their performance dip. Nothing has changed in their warm-up or practice routines. This leads to frustration and causes athletes to question their abilities.
The reality is that sometimes clean looks don’t fall. Sometimes, you push the ball wide of the goal. Sometimes, you are just a bit tired or under the weather.
The shooters who regain their form aren’t the ones who panic or search for quick fixes.
Instead, athletes who get back on track quickly have three things in common:
- Elite scorers stay committed to the process. These players continue to put the work in during practice and maintain a high level of preparation.
- Elite shooters stay true to their identity. Elite scorers adopt the “Shooter’s shoot” mentality. Even when they miss several shots during a game, they continue to look for their shot.
- Top scorers trust their ability. Elite scorers trust in their ability to produce during games, no matter what happened last week, last game, or during the first half.
During the 2026 NCAA season, Boise State University point guard Dylan Andrews struggled through a 7-for-40 shooting slump over a 6-game period. Whenever he was asked about the slump, Andrews said the key to a turnaround was to keep putting in the work and maintaining his preparation.
Eventually, Andrews’ commitment to the process paid off, and his production increased with three straight double-digit games.
ANDREWS: “I wouldn’t say I had lost confidence or anything like that. It was more so just trusting myself, trusting the work I put in the days I’m in the gym, the days I’m tired and still want to come in. I know for a fact those are shots I make in the game, the shots I make in practice.”
A shooting slump isn’t a failure. Nor is it a sign that you suddenly lost your ability.
Athletes who play through slumps with confidence don’t panic or try to force a solution. They believe in their identity, rely on their preparation, stay dedicated to the process, and trust they will bounce back.
Not only do these athletes regain their form, but they also reinforce the mindset that they can overcome any obstacle.
3 Strategies to Confidently Play Through a Shooting Slump
1. Maintain Your Positive Habits – A slump may tempt you to overhaul your regimen. Be patient, keep putting in the work, and trust that the work will eventually pay off.
2. Use Practice as Evidence – Every success in practice provides evidence of your ability. In other words, if your shot is falling in practice, you can replicate those results in games.
3. Hold True to Your Identity – Remember, shooters, shoot, even after a few misses. Instead of seeing yourself as a player in a slump, recognize that you are a shooter who has temporarily missed some shots.
FAQ – Playing Through Shooting Slumps
How long does a shooting slump usually last?
It varies. Some slumps last a few games; others extend longer. The key is maintaining preparation and confidence rather than forcing quick fixes.
Should athletes change their mechanics during a slump?
Only if a coach identifies a technical issue. Emotional reactions often cause athletes to over-adjust unnecessarily.
What should athletes avoid thinking or doing during a slump?
Avoid obsessing over missed shots, stats, or comparisons. Focus on effort, preparation, and trusting your process instead.
Is it normal for confident athletes to experience slumps?
Yes. Even elite players experience performance dips. Slumps are part of athletic growth.
Related Sports Psychology Article
- Mindset and Talent as Predictors for Athletic Success
- How to Cope with Performance Meltdowns
- How Mindset Beats Physique in Athletics
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