Professional preparation is one of the most important and least valued and understood aspects of performance. Very few players rely on a consistent and well-structured pre-game routine to ready themselves for the challenge ahead. Even fewer utilize such a routine in preparation for practice. All too frequently, players from the youth to the NBA level merely show up for practices and games but are unprepared to SHOW OUT! A pro’s pro is someone who takes their preparation as serious as their on-court performance. In turn, a pro’s pro’s performance is fueled by unmistakable consistency. Think Ray Allen and Reggie Miller…not coincidentally the two greatest shooters in the history of the NBA!
Coaches, always remember that day-to-day variability (e.g. different class start times, social obligations, inconsistent sleep, media responsibilities, and travel) directly contributes to your players’ performance variability in games and practices. The more you can get your players to minimize that variability and fine-tune and utilize a strong pre-performance routine, the more your players will control their performance consistency. As you begin preparations for the pre-season, provide your players with the following instructions:
- Keep your best time and energy management strategies (e.g. nap/rest, diet) consistent on game and practice days to whatever degree your schedule allows.
- Manage your technology! Phone and computer off 2 hours prior to game time, 1 hour prior to practice. No tweets, no texts, no calls!
- Purposeful use of your iPod is a MUST! Compile a playlist to optimize your energy and arousal levels. If you play at your best when pumped up, choose different songs than if you prefer to be more relaxed. Designate specific times to listen to your playlist (e.g. while getting taped, during visualization…see below).
- Find a consistent 10-minute time frame within 2 hours of game and 1 hour of practice time to visualize in this order: 3 min. highlight film (imagine yourself performing at your best), 3 min. “mistake” management (imagine yourself responding positively to missed shots, turnovers, foul trouble, etc.), 3 min. game/practice-specific preparation (imagine yourself executing specific coaching/scouting assignments), 1 min. deep breathing to clear your mind temporarily.
- Follow a specific physical routine to complement your mental routine (e.g. a 10-min. progression of specific skills and drills prior to the team warm-up). This is not the time to practice new skills. Stay in your comfort zone!
Coaches, have your players figure out what works for them individually and encourage them to stick with it! Slight variations from the strategies outlined above are okay as long as these variations are kept consistent (e.g. 15 minutes of visualization rather than 10 prior to every game). Lastly, remind your players frequently that just like every practice is an opportunity to prepare for games, every pre-practice period is an opportunity to prepare for pre-game periods by utilizing consistent routines and building pro’s pro habits!