With the college basketball season officially kicking off next week, I’ve been reflecting on the countless practices that I’ve had the pleasure of observing over past 20 years.
Here are 8 lessons I’ve learned from the most effective coaches when conducting practice:
1. They don’t spend the entire time screaming. They teach the game. They are intentional. They use emotional intelligence. They only raise their voice when necessary (and to make a maximum impact). They know that yelling does NOT equal coaching.
2. They consistently emphasize (and find a way to measure) EVERYTHING they value: boxing out, body language, diving for loose balls, taking charges, making the extra pass, sprinting in transition, talking on defense, making sharp cuts, setting solid screens, etc. They firmly believe that the little things make a big difference!
3. They maintain a healthy pace to every component of practice. There is minimal wasted time. They teach in sound bites and keep things up tempo. Their practices are highly efficient.
4. They concentrate on what gives them the best chance to win. There is no fluff. They don’t do drills just to do them. Their practices are highly effective.
5. They empower their assistants, managers, players, and support staff. They create a safe and inclusive environment and encourage everyone to speak up, lead drills, teach, and talk. They try to utilize everyone’s talents and want everyone to contribute.
6. They communicate specific feedback consistently… and in real time. They praise the behavior they want to see repeated and they correct the behavior they don’t.
7. They follow a detailed practice plan. They know what they want to accomplish before practice even starts. Each practice has a clear objective. Nothing is vague or haphazard.
8. They truly value (and enjoy) practice. They know it is the foundation of the process. Most importantly, they understand that “You play the way you practice.”
My favorite part of this list? Aside from some slight nuanced differences… ALL of this applies to business as well!