10 Tips to Successful Practice

Basketball practice is quickly approaching so I thought I would share some things that could help.

Poor practices could be from poor preparation. Most of Coach John Wooden’s practices took him longer to PLAN than they took to RUN. It's all about details---Those who fail to plan; plan to fail.

Here are 10 tips that I take into consideration with practice:

1. Make sure your players know why you do what you do.

2. Don’t ask players or your team to do something that is impossible to do. They will question your ability as a coach and not their ability as a player. Maximize your practices and look to evaluate each practice you have.

3. Post your practices. Your players will know what you have organized and prepared for the day. They will learn that there is a purpose for what you are doing everyday.

4. Don’t ask players or your team to do something that is impossible to do. They will question your ability as a coach and not their ability as a player. You can still be demanding but asking for the impossible is not wise.

5. Don’t stop and correct EVERY mistake. Sometimes you just have to let players play.

6. If we are constantly yelling in practice or in the game then eventually you will be “tuned out” by your players.

7. Try to create 30 second instructions. Any longer than 30 seconds and players attention spans waivers. In games you get about 30-45 seconds during timeouts so create that in a practice setting.

8. When your team is having a “bad practice” always allow your leaders to call a time out in practice and circle the troops. Let your leaders correct the problem, rather than you. This takes communication on your part between the coach and the leader to let them know they have this freedom.

9. Most players will settle for mediocrity, especially in their practices. Coaches need to drive home a commitment to excellence.

10. How are you creating adversity in your practices? Be creative.