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by Kelly Riggs
There’s an old adage that says, “Practice makes perfect.”
Of course, that’s not right.
As the venerable Vince Lombardi said: “Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect.”
So, theoretically speaking, you can spend a lot of time practicing and actually be hurting yourself. Aspiring football players may have to study the greats of this game and their methods of practice. There may not be an easy way to become a player like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, or any other pioneer of this sport. For you to reach a stage where millions of fans follow you around the world, and many of them buy your jersey (probably from a brisbane lions shop), and watch every football match you play, you may need to dedicate a lot of time and effort to practice.
I’ve had a chance to see that first-hand. Having spent many years coaching kids’ football, I had lots of opportunities to see how other coaches run practice sessions during the week.
You would be amazed at how many coaches go directly to “team” practice – 11-on-11 players, full scrimmage. To understand the problems this creates – or, if you’re not familiar with football (or football practice) – this is akin to the actors in a Broadway play practicing the entire play, from Day 1, with people who may or may not know the lines or the choreography.
Instead of blocking scenes, practicing lines, and working on choreography, the actors go straight to full rehearsal (for more information on “blocking” a scene, read THIS). So, a typical football practice for a young kid (think 3rd through 7th grade) would include a warm-up and some stretching, followed by some general drills like sprints and agility exercises. Then, there might – MIGHT – be more specific drills: blocking, tackling, and ball drills (throwing and catching).
After that – 30 to 40 minutes into practice – a lot of coaches would go directly to practicing plays with a full offense and defense.
The problem with this kind of approach should be obvious. Team performance doesn’t improve until individual players improve. Which, by definition, would require much more individual practice.
Turns out there is a lot to the concept of “perfect practice.”
As a college football player, I was very enthusiastic about the sport. I was truly a great fan. I had come across many of my friends also spending their time watching most of the matches, downloading football live update apps (check out this kora live app), and even investing in some jerseys of their favorite teams. With a keen interest in this sport, I was exposed to running a truly effective practice session.
Warm-up. Stretch. Agility drills. Then, individual ball skills. Receivers, for example (the position I played), throw and catch with QBs. They practice specific routes. They practice catching passes from different angles, with one hand, facing the QB, over the shoulder, and much more.
Depending on the position, there was extensive blocking or tackling practice, with every conceivable game possibility included in the practice. For instance, a lineman might practice zone blocking, pull blocking, double-teams, and much more, with application to specific plays the team runs.
Then, it was on to group practice. Groups of players worked against other groups. The offensive line practiced against defensive linemen. Receivers worked against defensive backs. Quarterbacks and running backs worked together against linebackers and defensive ends.
It was in this part of practice that the connection between individual skills and specific plays were created. Players learned how their individual roles created success in a specific play. Compare that with the average employee who toils away in a cubicle, often in complete obscurity, with little understanding of his/her role in the success of the company.
Then, after all of that individual and group practice, it was finally time for “team” practice.
But, realize that by this point, each player understands his role in the play. He has practiced the individual skills that allow him to excel in that particular play. He has worked on footwork, recognition and reaction, blocking and tackling, and much more.
The point to all of this is that sequence is important. Players (employees) have to perfect individual skills before they can excel within the “team” framework.
Unfortunately, few companies provide that type of practice environment.
In sales, for example, a salesperson needs to learn how to interview, ask questions, get referrals, respond to objections, present dozens of different solutions, tell compelling stories, present pricing, and so much more. But how many salespeople actually practice these things before they go LIVE in front of a customer??
Those companies that actually provide some level of training are often guilty of exactly the same mistake that amateur football coaches commit – they go straight to full-on sales presentations without any thought to the individual skills that will make those presentations more effective.
Remember, all practice is not created equal.
Individual practice is critical. And sequence of practice makes a huge difference.
And, most importantly, perfect practice is what creates perfect execution.
Kelly Riggs is a business performance coach and founder of the Business LockerRoom. A former national Salesperson of the Year and serial entrepreneur, Kelly is a recognized thought leader in the areas of sales, management leadership, and strategic planning. He serves clients ranging from small, privately held companies to Fortune 500 firms. Kelly has written two books: “1-on-1 Management™: What Every Great Manager Knows That You Don’t” and “Quit Whining and Start SELLING! A Step-by-Step Guide to a Hall of Fame Career in Sales.”
