There is an old purveying thought that success in athletics is simply, “The Jimmies and Joes, not the X’s and O’s.”. While there is no doubt that having the most talented team on the field is a huge advantage, there is always someone as talented as you, and relying on talent alone simply isn’t sustainable. When most people think of practice planning's importance, they usually think of improving metrics and skill; While both of those things are obviously improved and important, the five reasons listed below might be the most crucial benefits to being detail-oriented and running and organized practice. Below are our top five reasons why practice planning is so crucial to your team’s success.
- The team will feel you care
This is first on this list because it seems to slip most coaches’ minds, and it just might be the most important point. By being organized and having a clear plan, the team will feel like the coach is invested in their success and willing to put in the same sweat equity and passion as they are.
A high level of organization demonstrates a commitment to excellence and a desire to succeed, and as a result, players are more likely to trust a coach and commit to the team's culture and goals. Conversely, running a practice that seems to be made up as you go will ultimately make a team feel as if they are an afterthought....and that certainly isn’t good for motivation!
- They trust your process
Players today have more access to information and varying opinions than ever before, and the reality is that they, whether we like it or not, are the most informed (and opinionated) generation of ballplayers that we’ve ever seen. Simply put, these players can smell a haphazard practice plan from a mile away.
To get the “buy-in” that you’re looking for from a team the athletes need to feel like you not only believe in what you’re teaching but that you have a thought-out roadmap to success. Organization and thought-out planning always convey confidence and competence, the very things people want to follow.
- Efficiency
Efficiency is a precursor to success, and it cannot be stressed enough how important it is to be organized to maximize efficiency on the practice field. You only get so many practices and only so much time within those practices to get better and grow, so wasted time and redundant drills can be detrimental to your path to building a winning culture.
Efficient practice means setting clear goals, focusing on specific areas of importance and improvement, and laying out a direct roadmap on how to reach those goals. So do yourself a favor and do the heavy work on the front end that it takes to give you the satisfaction of knowing that you left no stone unturned.
- Success leaves clues
A universal truth seems to be that success leaves clues, and you can learn most of what you need to know from the best in the world at what you do. If you study highly successful coaches at the top levels of our game, one of the most fundamental commonalities you will start to find is their obsession with planning and organization.
Skip Bertman, arguably the best college coach or game has ever seen, once said, “I don’t buy the term ‘overcoaching’. I’m not sure what that really is. Now I don’t want to give so much information that the boys are confused, but it’s my job to ensure that everyone understands Plan A before we move on to Plan B and of course, Plan C.”
- Reduce your stress!
This may seem super obvious, but when you are organized and know you have a well-thought-out plan your stress seems to magically subside. Let us here at Skipper Saver do your heavy lifting on the front end by planning everything out for you and watch your stress reduce to the lowest possible level you can attain while being a coach!
Add comment
Comments