"Worst Practices"

People want to talk about best practices. Care about worst practices, too.  

Things players hate about practice:

Punishment used as a teaching tool
Micromanaging
Listening to you over-talk
Explaining complicated drills
Nitpicking every move they make
Standing in line
Being screamed/yelled at
Boring monotonous drills
Favoritism
Apathy
Belittling
Comparing

— Jon Beck (@CoachJonBeck) April 15, 2024

Coaches want practice to engage, add value, and foster growth. As a player, use practice daily to help raise your game individually and as a team. 

Performance expert Dr. Fergus Connolly says that every aspect of ideal practice impacts winning. If not, eliminate it. 

Brad Stevens says, "be demanding not demeaning." 

UNC Women's Soccer coach Anson Dorrance believes in only showing positive video in the 'competitive cauldron'. 

Coaches have concerns, too. 

• Low attention by players or distraction by other gym activities
• Low energy
• Poor communication
• Lack of full effort
• Sloppiness of execution (you play how you practice)

How can the collaboration between coaches and player get the most from practice? 

Captains energize the team. Coaches maintain efficiency and tempo. 

All 'correction' applies to everyone. Coach Sonny Lane used to say, "if I'm not yelling at you, it's because I've given up on you." Coaches don't have to yell but players need to focus to improve. 

Keep eyes on the prize. MVB plays for Big Picture Success.

Lagniappe. Learn options. Follow your coaches' counsel. 

Lagniappe 2. Tip. Entrepreneur Sara Blakely learned from Saturday dinners. Her father asked the children, "what have you failed at this week?" Failure is part of the journey. "Surround yourself with good people."