Two Critical Questions

"Am I Here?" & "Why Am I Here?"

Two Critical Questions

for Athletes Wanting to Maximize Practice

As athletes and coaches, you know the grind and discipline it takes to get better. Many of you, however, do not maximize your practice time or perform in competition as you would like. This lack of focus in both training and competition creates less than optimal performance. In other words, you do not practice with effectiveness and do not execute when it matters most. The two questions that title this piece are simplistic, yet critical, to improving your success.

"Am I Here?"
Even though you train almost every day of the week, how often are you 100% present and focused in practice? How many times are you only 80% focused because you are thinking about matters off the field? If you are like most athletes, the answer is "too often". How you practice is how you perform, so if you are only 80% focused in practice that will be the case in competition as well. Regardless of setting, most failure is due to a lack of being present and focused, so make certain you are before and during every practice. Some actions to help increase presence:
• Make a commitment to be present and rate (1-5) your success after every practice

•Take 10 minutes before practice to "let go" of all matters not relevant to practice

•Journal - write all irrelevant thoughts before practice, leave them in your locker

"Why Am I Here?"
Answering this question can make certain you are practicing with a purpose. How many times do you go to practice without knowing what you want or need to accomplish? You need to be clear on what you are going to accomplish that day - this will make your skills more sharp and effective. And even though your coach may have a different plan, you can still have your own objectives. For example, you can always accomplish mental objectives regardless of the type of practice (like being present and practicing with a purpose). Some things to improve your ability to practice with a purpose:
• Make it a habit to define 1-3 three objectives before every practice

•Evaluate your success in accomplishing those objectives after each practice

•Use a cue word to remind you of your objectives, especially since practice can be long and tiring

Play Smart, Play Hard, Play Well!