4 Things Every Practice Plan Needs

Culture isn’t built in the classroom. It’s built in practice

Most of us spend hours planning practice, but very little of that time goes into planning for culture. In this short video, J.P. Nerbun argues that culture isn’t built in preseason classroom presentations or workshops. It’s created in the daily environment of your practice, because that’s where you spend the most time with your athletes. If your practice plan covers only physical, technical, and tactical development, your culture won’t be what you want it to be.

That’s why JP points to four things every practice plan needs.

• First, a review. Most good coaches plan practice, run it well, then drop the ball on the review. An effective review answers two questions: what did I and we do well, and what can I and we improve? That “I” matters, because we need to review ourselves, not just our players.

• Second, intentional interventions. You can look at your plan and know where players will get tired and make mistakes, so decide ahead of time how you’ll respond. Will you reset the drill, have players huddle to sort it out, or sit someone out for effort or attitude? Whatever you choose, do it with intention, not out of an emotional reaction.

• Third, coach success criteria: at least one thing you’re working on to get better that day.

• Fourth, player ownership. Give your players a voice through pre- or post-practice questions, a drill where your leaders can reset the standard, or a before-and-after action review where they name what went well and what to improve.

The Practice Plan-Do-Review Template puts all four on a single page. Each activity gets its own success criteria and intervention; your coach success criteria sit right at the top, and the Post Practice Coach’s Hot Review walks you through reflecting on yourself, your peers, and your players. The companion guide adds practical ideas like planning in minutes instead of clock times and letting players talk first in team circles.

Want to see their Practice Plan-Do-Review Template to get your practices planned with building culture intentionally? Then join TOC Coach.

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