Mind Over Basketball — Jane Weierbach; Elizabeth Phillips-Hershey

Tuck is stressed out. His parents are divorced, he misses his father, and he has moved to a new house and school. When he decides to try out for the basketball team, the neighborhood boys won't let him use "their" court to practice.

With so many problems, Tuck is having a hard time feeling confident and dealing with his upsets. Then Walton shows up. Taking on the role of coach, Walton teaches Tuck not only how to play better basketball but also how to manage his anxiety and self-doubt. Soon Tuck is feeling in control of his life and focusing his energy on what he loves most…basketball!

Using a positive, interactive, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction approach, this book combines a high-interest chapter book and informative coaching guides with skills-training exercises for readers ages 8 to 14.

Mindfulness and cognitive skills included are designed to teach kids to focus on now, use the breath to keep their cool, make choices that work, focus on the things that deserve attention, re-direct worries, and use rational and positive self-talk.

Study guides are included at the end of each chapter, covering topics such as:

• What is Stress?
• Become Your Own Coach
• The Power of the Breath
• Visualization: The Power of Imagination
• Choose Your Behavior
• Talk Positively to Yourself
• Focus on Now
• On Your Own: Coach Yourself to Handle Stress

Ideal for use with kids by parents, teachers, therapists, guidance counselors, and coaches, this book can be used as a text for small groups, classrooms, and counseling sessions.