How to increase practise intensity

Many coaches say that they "need to raise the level of intensity" in their practises. How do they do it? Here are some suggestions:

• keep score in drills, better yet have the players pay attention and keep the score - coach can ask the score at any time, if not known or agreed upon then there should be a consequence
• allow a mismatch or a player to exploit a weakness of another player - keeps the stronger player sharp and forces the weaker to make a decision to get better
• make sure the practise environment is competitive and not complacent - remind players that game roles are (in part) created and decided in workouts and practices
• practise competitions need to be as 'game-like' as possible, must be a time and score element so that players improve that skill set (based on stage of the game, need to actually work on knowing what to do and when)
• don't allow scrimmage for the sake of playing or shots for the sake of shooting - needs to be rewards and penalties in order to increase commitment and competition
• set the pace, demand the pace - coaches need to move teams quickly between drills (next one ready and waiting), players need to know 5 seconds wasted is 5 seconds that could have been spent on their improvement
• want active participation - if not actually in the drill then players standing in line could be doing lunges or skipping or foot speed work (just because they are not "in" does not mean they are "off")
  

Concepts for workouts and practices

Wondering how to get more out of your players and practices? Beyond the very telling phrase of "you get what you accept" consider the following:

• don't coach DOWN (to level of least skilled player), pull players UP (by coaching to level of top 2-3 players)
• team improvement is dependent upon strong individual player workouts
• player workouts are based on self-motivation (THEY have to WANT to DO them) - conflict arises when coaches have to motivate beyond player motivation
• watch scrimmages (outside of practice time) - do players compete? keep score? get rewards?
• when you are not looking, do you know what is happening in the gym or weight room? is there intensity, is there leadership, or are players goofing off?
• set the team pace of play in practice - includes quick movement between drills (have coordination so the next one is ready), effort, intensity, tempo, plenty of reps
  
• "time on task" is a concept vital to team success - many players involved in positive activity for max possible time, limit standing around or inactivity
  
• three player workouts are excellent for "time on task" - active passer, shooter, rebounder
  

Active learning time

I am a big proponent of ACTIVE LEARNING TIME. More learning will occur if a learner can spend more time successfully engaged in what is being learned. In simple terms, the more time your athletes spend DOING things in the RIGHT way, the better players they will become.

Several factors affect Active Learning Time - primarily teacher instruction, providing an appropriate challenge, and preparation. Why is it important to become a more effective practice time manager? Regardless of how much practice time is available to any team or coach, that practice time is extremely valuable and must not be wasted or used inefficiently. Studies undertaken indicate that EFFECTIVE Practice Management Time is when 8-12% of practice time is devoted to managing. Whereas INEFFECTIVE Practice Management Time is characterized by managing for 25-45% of any given practice session.

Coaches need to acquire skills and learn appropriate strategies in order to maximize Effective Management Time in their practices. The following are suggestions to help with development:

• Start every practice promptly
• Teach signals/routines plus their meanings
• Use prompts, hustles and enthusiasm
• Reinforce student responses with specific feedback
• Avoid slow-downs and breaks (reduces efficiency and takes away momentum)
• Reduce the number of athletes waiting in line by using more subgroups in drills
• Secure sufficient supplies and equipment so athletes do not wait
• Plan practices to minimize reformulation of groups and equipment set-up time (planned space)
• Communicate as much info as possible BEFORE practice
• Warm-up/cool down outside the scheduled practice time
• Use your assistants (very important concept of delegation - greatly benefits your athletes)