Volume 26, Issue 5 | September 29, 2026

Confidence

Kobe Bryant did not lack confidence. As his former teammate shares in this week's video, Bryant once told him that if he missed the first four or five shots, he would just take the next ten. Bryant was so confident that he would succeed, his coaches often had to work with him to demonstrate confidence in his teammates and focus on bringing them into the game.

Most athletes are not Kobe Bryant. For most of us, confidence wavers as we have good or bad games or practices. In the video above, two-time NBA All-Star Roy Hibbert explains how he learned to accept the "bad days" and regain confidence in his abilities. His advice is valuable for athletes in any sport, with tips like going back to the basics or asking for help.

This final piece of advice is particularly helpful for youth or high school athletes, who likely play for a coach who has been in your shoes. When you're low on confidence or simply feel like you're struggling in one particular area, don't be afraid to ask your coach for help. Doing so will help you identify the things you need to fix and build trust with your coach and teammates, who see that you're putting in the work necessary to improve.

A Prayer for Athletes

Jesus, send the Holy Spirit upon us as we play today. Bless my teammates that we may have fun together. Bless my coaches as they coach us. We pray that none of us get hurt. Thank you for the gift of this game. Amen.