Recently, the world of competitive sports has witnessed a paradigm shift—one where the mind is recognized as equally important as the body in achieving athletic excellence. With growing awareness about the psychological aspects of performance, sports psychology has moved from the periphery to the core of coaching and athlete development. This book, “Applied Sports Psychology: Performance of Basketball Players,” is a timely and significant contribution to this evolving discipline, focusing on how psychological factors directly impact athletic performance in basketball—a game that demands not only physical stamina but also mental sharpness, emotional regulation, and team cohesion.
Basketball, as a high-intensity team sport, offers a rich context to study the interplay of mental variables such as adjustment, self-concept, and achievement motivation. These factors—often overlooked in conventional training regimes—are vital determinants of how players perceive challenges, relate to teammates, cope with pressure, and ultimately perform under competitive conditions. Through carefully selected case studies, empirical data, and psychological profiling, this book explores how individual and group psychology shapes the success or struggle of athletes at different levels of competition.
The focus on university- and college-level players from Uttar Pradesh brings a unique lens to the discussion, blending regional insights with global psychological principles. These athletes, many of who

in high-stakes environments with limited support systems, and offer compelling narratives of mental resilience, self-belief, and adaptive behavior. By understanding their experiences, readers can appreciate the psychological nuances that go beyond physical training and into the realm of motivation, identity, and emotional strength.
This book is structured to offer both theoretical understanding and practical application. It begins by laying the foundational concepts of sports psychology, followed by detailed chapters that delve into each psychological variable in relation to basketball performance. Real-world data, qualitative observations, and reflective commentary are integrated to provide a holistic view of how mental preparedness influences success on the court.
Intended for students, scholars, coaches, physical education professionals, and sports psychologists, this work invites readers to rethink the athlete not just as a physical performer but as a psychological being. It encourages a shift from purely skill-based coaching to a more empathetic, individualized, and mentally informed approach to athlete development.
In essence, "Sports Psychology in Practice" seeks to bridge the gap between research and reality—between what we know about the human mind and how we apply that knowledge to nurture better athletes. The lessons drawn from basketball, however, transcend the court and offer valuable insights for sports professionals across disciplines.