You Season Can Still Be Turned Around
After an underwhelming regular season, falling short of expectations, or being eliminated in the early rounds of a playoff series, most athletes can’t wait to go home and put the season behind them.
It’s understandable to want a complete break for a while, since the season can be a grind. Many times, you will want to forget about the season as quickly as possible.
If you wait too long to evaluate your season, you may overlook some details or essential feedback that could potentially elevate your game for the next season.
Not only that, you will also lack the necessary information to establish offseason goals or a plan to set the ball in motion. To gain closure, it is best to reflect on the season.
While reviewing a season where you fell short of expectations may be uncomfortable, reflection is a powerful tool for growth. The best time for reflection is relatively soon after the season. Not only will an honest evaluation provide valuable feedback, but it will also allow you to process your emotions.
While your memories are still fresh, you will have the opportunity to review what went wrong, what went right, and what could be improved. This information will provide direction for your offseason workouts.
The Orlando Magic excelled in several areas during the 2024-25 NBA season, including defense, points in the paint, and recovering loose balls.
However, the Magic were ranked last in the league in 3-point shooting during the regular season. Their 3-point shooting ended up being their downfall in Round One of the playoffs.
The Magic lost the series in five games, including a 120-89 blowout in Game 5.
In Game 5, the Magic connected on only eight of 38 3-point attempts. In the series, they shot just 26.3 percent from beyond the arc.
After the game, Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley discussed the importance of taking stock of the positives and negatives throughout the season so they can begin preparing to improve and advance deeper in the playoffs next year.
MOSLEY: “We have to take the lesson. You have to reflect on it as you go forward this summer and not look at an excuse, but how do you improve for the next season. Like, what did they do so well that you gave yourself a chance, but you didn’t get over the hump. You have to be able to look back and reflect on specific things that we need to work on as players, as well as coaches, to be able to see what we need to do better and how we can get over that hump.”
While it’s tempting to walk away from a frustrating season without looking back, actual progress begins with honest reflection.
Evaluating both successes and failures soon after the season ends provides athletes and coaches with the clarity needed to set meaningful goals for the upcoming offseason.
Within a week of your season ending, take 30 minutes to reflect and evaluate your performance, either by yourself or with your coach. Write down three things that went well and three aspects to improve for the next season. Create 1-2 steps you will take during the off-season to improve, so you put yourself in a position for a breakthrough next season.
Related Sports Psychology Article
- How to Break a Losing Season
- How to Grow From Post-Season Evaluations
- Mindset and The Eagles’ Losing Season
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