The following has been borrowed from www.basketball-drills-and-plays.com

    It's all in your head...only you can decide the level you want to play at, and no one can take this away from you.  Mental toughness and preparation is what sets apart great players from the average ones.  In a clutch situation, the players with "nerves of steel" are the best performers.

    Along with fundamentals, players need to understand the concept of "relative motion".  That can be described as realizing how one player fits into the space on the floor, given the positioning of everyone else on the court.  A player with this understanding will know how to move to get open, create proper passing angles, and play good team defense.  Think of a basketball game in terms of ten players on the court, not just one-on-one.

    Always believe in yourself.  If you think you can do it, good things will happen.  When you're shooting, believe it will go in every time and it will improve your chances.  You have to believe that you can get better every practice and every game.

    Strive to improve everyday, both physically and mentally.  Playing against people who are better than you is how you get better.  Learn from your coaches, and don't be afraid to ask questions.

    Against weaker teams, it is important to play at your best...this includes practices as well.  Compete against your own personal best every time, even if someone else is going less than full speed.  Practice doesn't make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect.

    Pay attention to how you prepare for each game, especially when you play well.  Anything you do to keep the routine similar will help.  Follow the same pre-game routines, think about the same type of things,  and focus on the game at hand.  Most importantly, prepare to be successful!

    Spectators, parents, and fans are great, but this is the time to follow your coaches.  One voice, one purpose, and one team.

    The little things make all the difference in the world.  Every successful inbound pass, every rebound, every "dive" for a loose ball...will determine the outcome much more than fancy shooting, no-look passes, and sophisticated offenses.

    Coaches, players, and referees make mistakes, it is part of the game.  Players can't dwell on a turnover, missed shot, or a bad call.  Run back on defense and concentrate on the next play.  Watch how fast your game will improve when you become part of the solution.

    Always run on and off the court...for time-outs, substitutions, or at half-time.  Psychologically, you're showing your opponent you won´t wear down.  The championship Boston Celtics teams would never sit down during a time-out in order to appear fresh to their opponents.