The 3 Types of Decisions
Basketball is a game of decisions. Every pass, dribble, or shot starts with a choice. These choices fall into three categories:
1. Good Decisions
These are the moments we aim for—smart plays that elevate the team. A sharp pass, an open shot, or strong help defense. When you make a good decision, we celebrate it and encourage you to keep repeating it. Confidence grows from these moments.
2. Bad Decisions
Mistakes happen to everyone. A forced pass or a rushed shot might hurt in the moment, but bad decisions are teachable moments. They give us something tangible to break down, analyze, and correct so you can make better choices next time.
3. Indecision
This is the most challenging type of “decision”—because it’s not a decision at all. Indecision often stems from hesitation or fear of being wrong. The problem is, indecision leaves nothing to coach. There’s no pass to correct, no shot selection to discuss. You can’t learn from what didn’t happen.
Why Quick Decisions Matter
I believe it’s far better for a player to make a quick decision—even if it’s the wrong one—than to freeze and do nothing. When you act quickly, you create something: an opportunity, a mistake to analyze, or even a chance for the team to adjust. A wrong decision can be fixed; indecision can’t.
The Lesson: Trust yourself and decide.
Good decisions build confidence. Bad decisions build understanding. Indecision builds frustration. The fastest way to improve your decision-making is to make decisions—boldly and without fear of failure.
So next time you’re in a game, don’t hesitate. Make the call, trust your instincts, and give yourself the chance to learn and grow.
Let’s keep building smarter, more confident players.
— Reid Ouse
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