Why is practice important?

Why is practice important? This is a very straight forward question that a coaching friend of mine asked me the other day. To be honest, though, I had difficulty coming up with a straight forward answer. Of course, I have an objective in each and every practice that is in line with a 3-4 month cycle and is a part of a bigger plan. I implement a variety of assessment techniques to be sure the objective is being met and I use a variety of age-appropriate teaching and learning activities, address the "big picture" and try my best to reach various learning styles. I put a lot of time and effort into making practice work, however, I surprised myself that I didn't have an immediate, straight forward answer to why practice is important.

Practice is important for many reasons. If wrestling is a tool to teach life skills, then practice is a wonderful opportunity to implement strategies that allow for individual growth. Being able to critically analyze situations, celebrate experimentation, handle adversity, take responsibility for actions and decisions are all motives. Speaking strictly of the physical side of the sport, it's imperative that there is at least incremental improvement (or more) in every single practice. Individuals should become better wrestlers. Developing mental skills are equally as important. Acquiring a love for the sport, practice and training are other great things to focus on. There are many answers to this question and most of them are valid. Each is unique to the needs of the individuals (coaches, parents, athletes, etc.) as well as to the culture of the club, team or system that they're in.

What is the answer to this question, though? Why is practice important? Below are two stories to consider when thinking about your answer. This is an important conversation.

I see a lot of young children choose to walk away from the sport of wrestling because they don’t like it. This is acceptable and understandable, not everyone likes the same things. Wrestling isn’t for everyone...or, is it? Most young children engage is some type of wrestling behavior or playful combat as infants. For those who have the physical capacity, it seems to be natural and fun. When presented with the option, many children decide to give wrestling a try because they already like doing it with Dad, their brother/sister, or their dog on the living room floor. Unfortunately, when they get to practice for the first time, it’s not what they expected and nothing like what they have experienced. Instead, they’re taught a series of drills and skills that aren’t interesting to them and often times aren't physiologically possible at their age (many of them cannot even put their wrestling shoes on by themselves yet). In my experience, the first practice is usually focused on stance/motion or general basic skills.

I took notice one night after attending a youth wrestling practice and a mother asked her first grade son if he had fun. Sadly, he said, “no…we never even wrestled.” It was true. He had been wrestling with his stuffed animals since he was two years old and when he finally got to attend a wrestling practice, he was forced to learn shoulder-knee-toe alignment and lateral motion. This little guy never came back. Why? Because he went to wrestling practice and never got to wrestle. The coach spent time teaching the youngsters how to wrestle instead of allowing them to actually do it.

Why is practice important?

The University of Wisconsin won the NCAA Championship in men's cross country last week. The Badgers are a perennial powerhouse in cross country, regularly finishing in the top 5 in the NCAA and winning 13-consecutive Big Ten titles.

Here are some comments from head coach Mick Byrne as he prepared to lead the Badgers in pursuit of the title:

"Well, I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, that part of what I teach is you’ve got to get out there every day and be passionate about what you do. Ultimately, yes, we’d love to win the national title and we’re going after it. We’re as committed to doing that as any other program. But I’ve always said that you have to enjoy the pursuit.

"I think next Tuesday, you ask these guys did they have fun together this year, did they get after it, is there anything they would change, and I think you’d be surprised what they’ll say. And I think that’s what it’s about. It’s about the pursuit of that goal, enjoying the day-to-day hard work.

"When you look back, July 1, when these guys started, just coming off an outdoor season in preparation for this -- it’s very easy for us right now today and look forward seven days down the road, as we get so close to this competition -- but put yourself in their shoes, go back to July 1 when they’re four and five months out from the competition. Everything that they put into this, that’s what I’m about, that’s what this team is about. Enjoy the daily pursuit of what you’re doing. Because then, ultimately, you will enjoy the goal, whether it’s first place, second place, third place, fourth place.

"Yes, there’s tremendous history here. It’s the reason I came here. I’m aware of that. The kids are aware of that. It’s the reason they’re Badgers. But ultimately, at the end of the day, you’ve got to enjoy what you do."

Why is practice important?