Yes, Alan Iverson, we are talking about practice. I like so many during my playing career took practice for granted. My senior year in high school was when the realization truly set in, especially after I suffered an injury in football. Still remember the last practice of basketball my senior year, I wanted to make a shot from multiple locations because I knew it would be the last time I would be able to so. It’s been 23 years since I have gotten to put up shots in my gym. I remember walking off the baseball field for the last time, the thought still comes back I could and should have done more.
As I transitioned from playing to coaching I started observing how other athletes and coaches prepared and attacked practice. I still get to practice a hour or more early just in case a player wants to get in extra work and to make sure the field is ready to go. I’ve slacked for the last year, but I used to get to the field and runs laps to clear my mind and envision what was about to happen at practice.
I have a practice plan for every practice I lead. I try to have a balance and a plan that I hope will inspire the team and individuals to give me everything they got for that day. As it often happens, perfect plans and ideas are interrupted by imperfect moments. All it takes is one disruption to end that growth and progression for the day. A bad cog will throw the wheel out of line and cause a breakdown.
I had a former player and his parent reach out recently to say how much they missed playing for us. They stated they got spoiled with the practice plan and the time we put in. The player said they were leaving practice wishing it was harder. They weren’t getting challenged and didn’t feel they were growing.
Practice isn’t just for the players. A coach has to be accountable for what they are doing and what they are saying. So often in life we think all we have to do is show up. Holding yourself and others accountable is what practice (and life) is all about. Growth, improvement, learning and failure should be at the forefront of each practice.
At the top of my practice plan is our goal for the day. It usually stats, Be better than you were the day before! If we push ourselves each day to be a little better. Than a little by little, a little becomes a lot.
So much focus is put on having to win or having to be rewarded with something. I got better when I failed. I got better when I practiced with someone who was better than me. Learning and growing from adversity will take you far. We can go through life and practice with the setting on easy but is that truly going to make you the best you.
Practice should challenge you. Practice should be fun and help you get better. I watch how players arrive. Are they smiling? Do they want to be here? If you ask how much longer or what time is it are you focused on what practice is trying to do for you?
At the end of the day, a coach, a boss, a teammate, a parent and so on can only do so much. It’s on us if we want to give it our best. Don’t be like me 20+ years later regretting or having thoughts about did I give it everything I had. Be better than you were the day before! If you give everything you have in practice then practice will give you everything.
Enjoy your day!
TCB