The holiday season is a time for joy, family, and celebration. It’s also a time when many athletes can lose focus on their training. For basketball players, this time can either be an opportunity to elevate your game or a setback in your development.

This is the 6th featured article from Christopher J. Wirth, our partner from No Quit Living and The Positivity Tribe. 

Why It's Important to Stay Committed

1. Maintain Momentum

Basketball is a game of rhythm. Long breaks can disrupt your timing, stamina, and confidence. Staying consistent over the holidays ensures you don't lose the progress you’ve made.

2. Edge Over Competition

While others may take time off, maintaining your training can give you a significant advantage when the season picks up.

3. Strengthen Fundamentals

The holiday break is an ideal time to refine the basics—shooting mechanics, ball handling, and defensive strategies —without the pressure of upcoming games.

4. Discipline for Life

Committing to your game during the holidays fosters habits of discipline and dedication, traits that are valuable both on and off the court.

How to Make Time for Your Game

1. Schedule Short Workouts

Even 20–30 minutes of focused drills can make a difference. Prioritize quality over quantity.

2. Combine Family and Fitness

Invite siblings, cousins, or friends to join you for a friendly game. You could even ask them to rebound for you, or even play a little defense while you work on your game. It keeps things light while still working on your skills.

3. Focus on Mental Training

Use downtime to visualize game scenarios, study game film, or work on basketball IQ by watching and analyzing professional and college games.

4. Set Goals

Write down specific, measurable goals for what you want to improve. This keeps you motivated and focused.

Suggested Drills

Shooting

• Challenge yourself to hit 200–300 shots per day, focusing on form and consistency.

Ball Handling

• Spend 10 minutes a day working on your ball handling and dribbling.

Conditioning / Fitness

• Try to keep your on-court conditioning top of mind, while also focusing on those areas you want to improve.

A Balanced Approach

While it’s important to prioritize basketball, balance is key. Use the holidays to recharge mentally and physically, but don’t let it become an excuse to neglect your game entirely. Small, consistent efforts over the holiday season will help you hit the ground running when practices and games resume.

As the saying goes: “Champions are made in the offseason.” Use this holiday period to
separate yourself from the competition and continue your journey toward excellence.

About Christopher

Christopher J. Wirth is a Top Mental Performance Coach and Keynote Speaker.  He is the founder of both No Quit Living and The Positivity Tribe.  In addition to traveling throughout the country and working with College Teams and Fortune 100 Companies, Christopher also hosts the No Quit Living Podcast.