First step: Engage the senses:

I smell the varnish on the floor and memories of sweat in the air.

Feel my sneakered feet and hear my step squeak as I run, step, hop across the court.

Second step: I visualize the shot. The ball swooshing through the hoop.

And then, having thus prepared, I move to step three:

I try, toss, fail.

Intending doesn’t work, I think.

As I open my eyes,

I notice that my back was to the hoop the whole time.

I was throwing a frisbee, not a ball.

I back up a step:  turn, face the hoop, basketball in hand this time.

Now, I think, I’ve got a plan.

I’ve got a shot.