[Section] - Competitive Preparation
Practice and Play
Balancing practice and fun builds motivation (Perseverance) and learning strategy (Inquiry).
Positive attitude boosts health (Vitality) and team dynamics (Interconnectedness).
Staying focused supports growth (Perseverance) and intentional action (Inquiry).
TABLE OF CONTENTs - Practice and Play
REFLECT - Self-Reflection Questions To Start The Learning Process
EXPLORE - Core Principles and Concepts About The Principles of Practice and Play
EXAMINE - Lessons on Change, Flexibility, and Resilience
ENGAGE - Engaging New Ideas and Applying Them in Daily Life
REFLECT - Practice and Play
Self-reflection is a powerful tool to increase self-awareness and prepare mentally and emotionally to engage new ideas!
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As you begin to think about your own methods and mindsets of practice and play, ask yourself the following questions.
How well do I use practice time to work on my weaknesses, not just my strengths?
How do I handle feedback from coaches or teammates during practice?
Do I challenge myself to improve, or do I sometimes avoid areas where I struggle?
EXPLORE - Practice and Play
Build emotional and practical connections to new ideas!
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The time you spend practicing is just as important as the time you spend competing. As a student-athlete, practice is where you build your skills, develop your teamwork, and prepare both mentally and physically for competition. How you approach practice plays a major role in how well you perform when it is time to compete.
One of the most important things to understand about practice is that it is not just about showing up. Every practice is an opportunity to improve. Even if you have been competing for years, there is always a skill you can build. Whether it is technique, communication, or conditioning, giving full effort at practice helps you build habits that carry over into competition.
Focus during practice is key. Distractions can easily pull your attention away from drills, game plans, or feedback from your coach. When you approach each practice with the same level of concentration you bring to competition, you train your mind to stay locked in during games. This mental discipline gives you an edge when the pressure rises.
Practice is also where you develop trust with your teammates. Working hard together builds confidence in each other’s abilities. You learn how your teammates move, communicate, and respond to challenges. This trust helps the team stay connected and make quick decisions during live play.
Mistakes are part of the practice process. In fact, practice is where mistakes should happen, so you can learn and adjust before game time. Rather than getting frustrated, use mistakes as opportunities to improve. When you respond to mistakes with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn, you set a tone that helps the entire team grow.
Consistency is what separates average players from strong performers. Anyone can have a good day at practice once in a while. The best athletes commit to giving consistent effort every day, even when they are tired, frustrated, or distracted. Consistency builds confidence and prepares you to perform well no matter the situation.
Practice also helps you prepare physically for the demands of competition. Training drills, conditioning, and skill work all serve a purpose. They prepare your body to handle the intensity of real games. Taking care of your body after practice through proper recovery, nutrition, and rest ensures that you continue improving and avoid injury.
Mental preparation goes hand-in-hand with physical work. Use practice to develop your game sense, study strategies, and build routines that help you stay calm and confident during competition. Mental preparation allows you to handle nerves, stay composed under pressure, and make better decisions during play.
Your approach to practice shapes your team culture as well. When everyone commits to hard work, focus, and mutual support, the entire team benefits. Positive practice habits spread quickly and help create an environment where teammates push each other to get better.
In the end, practice is where champions are made. The habits you build in practice prepare you to perform at your best when it matters most. When you approach every practice with focus, effort, and a willingness to improve, you give yourself and your team the best chance for success both on and off the field.
EXAMINE - Practice vs. Play
One of the most important things to understand about practice is that it is not just about showing up. Every practice is an opportunity to improve. Even if you have been competing for years, there is always a skill you can build. Whether it is technique, communication, or conditioning, giving full effort at practice helps you build habits that carry over into competition.
Practice is deliberate and structured, focused on improving specific skills, techniques, and strategies.
Play is a calculated engagement of those skills.
Practice involves repetitive drills, disciplined training sessions, and a goal-oriented approach to enhance performance.
The goal of gameplay is to win by utilizing these lessons.
Practice involves guidance from coaches or trainers who provide feedback, correction, and instruction to develop skills.
Play lets the athlete implement that guidance in real-time.
Practice is aimed at honing specific aspects of the sport, such as improving physical conditioning, refining technical abilities, and developing tactical awareness.
Play is more focused on applying the existing skills in a competitive setting.
Practice allows athletes to identify weaknesses, work on areas that need improvement, and build confidence through focused repetition.
Play offers opportunities for athletes to showcase skills, test those abilities, and experience the complete game in a competitive setting.
Practice emphasizes discipline, perseverance, and structured learning.
Play encourages spontaneity, adaptability, and exploration within the program.
Practice provides a controlled environment for athletes to simulate game situations, practice specific plays or strategies, and develop teamwork and communication skills.
Play connects all of the elements together.
Practice sessions often involve analysis, video review, and tactical discussions to enhance understanding and decision-making.
Play focuses more on immediate reactions, instinctive movements, and adapting to dynamic situations.
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EXAMINE - Morale and Attitude
INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT IS MISSING HERE!
When individuals feel connected and supported by their teammates, they are more likely to work together cohesively, trust one another, and perform at their best.
When athletes feel a strong sense of morale, they become more motivated to push themselves, improve their skills, and achieve their goals.
Setbacks and failures are inevitable. Good teams help each other bounce back from defeats.
A positive atmosphere encourages healthy competition, as athletes focus on self-improvement rather than solely on winning.
When athletes are motivated, confident, and supported by their teammates, they perform better individually and as a team.
A team with a strong sense of morale develops a shared team spirit and a sense of pride in representing their college.
Positive team spirit often translates into increased fan support, creating an exciting and energizing atmosphere during games and events.
A team with high morale provides a support network for athletes to lean on during times of stress, pressure, and fatigue.
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EXAMINE - Discipline and Focus
INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT IS MISSING HERE!
Self-discipline is a skill that can be developed.
Define clear and specific goals for your academic performance, personal growth, and other areas of your life.
Create a Daily Routine that includes dedicated time for studying, attending classes, completing assignments, and engaging in extracurricular activities.
Prioritize tasks based on their importance and urgency. Focus on high-priority tasks first.
Utilize tools like calendars, planners, or digital apps to schedule and track your activities. Break down large tasks into smaller, manageable segments and allocate specific time slots for each task.
Identify the reasons behind your procrastination tendencies and implement strategies to overcome them.
Identify and minimize distractions that disrupt focus and discipline. Try turning off notifications on your phone or computer, finding a quiet study space, and using website-blocking apps to limit access to distracting websites or social media platforms during study sessions.
Find an accountability partner, such as a classmate or study group, with whom you can share your goals and progress.
Acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments along the way, no matter how small they may be.
Recognize that self-discipline is a journey, and setbacks are a natural part of the process. If you encounter challenges or face a temporary lapse in discipline, be kind to yourself, learn from the experience, and recommit to your goals.
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ENGAGE - Practice and Play
Please look over the following prompts. You’ll be asked to participate in a short discussion about what you have learned, either individually or in a group, with a REBOOT Coach and/or guest speakers. Think about how these lessons will benefit you most in school, competition, and life!
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF :
[Practice vs. Play]
How do you approach practices compared to actual competitions or performances? What mindset do you bring to each, and how do they support each other?
[Morale and Attitude]
How do you influence the mood or energy of your team during practice or tough moments? What kind of attitude do you want to be known for?
[Discipline and Focus]
When you're in a long or repetitive training session, how do you stay mentally focused and disciplined? What distractions are hardest to overcome, and how do you manage them?
QUESTIONS TO ASK OTHERS :
[Practice vs. Play]
What do you believe is the key difference between how we should approach practice versus how we approach game time?
[Morale and Attitude]
How do you help student-athletes keep morale high during difficult practices, losing streaks, or periods of low motivation?
[Discipline and Focus]
What do you expect from your team in terms of discipline and focus, and how do you coach those skills in daily routines?
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES - Practice and Play
If you would like to learn more about Practice and Play, please consider the following resources!
FLCC Athletics - 8/GREAT - HANDOUT - PRACTICE AND PLAY [PDF]
Practice and Play
Michael Van Etten - REBOOT - Didactic Tactics LLC - All Rights Reserved