The longer that I’ve coached, the more that I’ve strongly become convicted that the prettiest drills don’t mean that learning is happening.
Coaches LOVE blocked practice. It makes us feel good when players are hitting shot after shot from the same spot. Or when they’re dribbling through cones in the same order. We want everything to be crisp and rhythmic and beautiful to watch.
When you repeat the same rep over and over, the numbers can look great. The film can look great. But the thing about is is that when you do that you quietly removed the one thing the game never removes: the need to read, decide, and adjust.
I’ve loved making practice random, varied, and messy. It’s ugly. It hurts your pride as a coach sometimes cause you think that your team isn’t getting any better. Reps look ugly. Players miss more, hesitate more, and look less polished. But the thing is they learn more because they’re being forced to retrieve, problem-solve, and adapt under changing conditions that change. That transfers.
If argue if your practice always looks clean, your players probably aren’t learning. They’re performing. Practice is for learning.
Learning is supposed to look a little chaotic. Embrace the mess. The scoreboard is the only place the reps are supposed to be pretty.
Just a thought.
D3 offers a unique balance of sport & school
Over 2/3 of D1 athletes say they spend as much (or more) time on their sport in the offseason
D3 athletes have more time to nurture academic interests, get internships, and enjoy down time
(source: NCAA Stats)
Dusty May is a master communicator to young people
This is a great behind the scenes look at his approach
The man will be on top of the profession for as long as he wants to be