Effective Team Practices By: Barry L. Mestel, President of Winning Ways Inc

An effective team practice is an essential ingredient to optimizing the success of a team. Early in my Coaching career, I learned that "you win games in practice".  I am a firm believer in this approach to practice and the necessity of having players buy-in to this concept.  Too often, we see teams that spend their entire practice session preparing and strategizing for their next game, which, while certainly a component of practice, should not consume the entire session.  We also find as the season wears on, that fundamentals and their teaching seem to minimize.  Consequently, it is often the case that the majority of turnovers and lack of execution occur in the fourth quarters and in closely contested games.

KEYS TO APPROACHING PRACTICE

  1. Players need to understand that practice is preparation - preparation and player/team development
  2. Players shouldn't do anything in practice they wouldn't do in a game - this insistence will help set the stage for players to avoid taking shots, passes, etc. that they would not utilize in a game.  Further, it avoids the potential of players getting "good at bad habits".
  3. Set Parameters- Parameters should be set relative to being a member of the team, be it off the court, practice, etc. This way, everyone is on the same page, and should an area need to be addressed, the parameters serve as an excellent medium of reference.
  4. P.I.E. Theory - Participation, Involvement, Enthusiasm. Everyone needs to be participating in some area at all times. An individual's involvement will bring them closer to team’s direction and focus, as well as making them feel more of a part of the team.  Enthusiasm is a cornerstone of success and progress.


Areas for competition and fun:

 

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Questions to think about for practice discussion:

What shouldn’t you be doing in practice?

What four things during practice will help you to be a great player?