Give every drill a purpose, put the plan in writing, and sequence it around how athletes actually learn. Bruce Brown's rule: good coaches plan — great coaches plan every detail. Start by knowing your constraints — time, space, number of players, number of coaches — because wasted practice time usually comes from not planning around them. Put new drills and concepts that require thinking early, when minds are fresh; save simple, essential fundamentals for the end, when players are tired. Every drill must apply directly to your offensive or defensive system and simulate game conditions — if it doesn't, cut it. Then write your plan, post your plan, and follow it. Start on time, stay on time, end on time.
How long should each drill last?
Short segments. If a skill needs twenty minutes, break it into two ten-minute segments — or better, four five-minute segments. Repetition is the key to motor learning: small doses, repeated regularly, at game speed and maximum effort. Once a skill is taught, shorten the time segments and vary the drills.
Should practice include separate conditioning time?
Usually not. Get conditioning done during drills run at normal pace, instead of as a separate block. If your team only practices once a week, conditioning has little or no effect by game day — that time is better spent on skills. Making drills competitive raises intensity and motivation on its own.
How do I know if practice is actually working?
Don't confuse activity with achievement. Achievement is activity that produces improvement in skill level — busy is not the same as better. The four factors that drive team improvement are attention, effort, your teaching ability, and your use of practice time. Keep a written record of each practice with comments, and adjust the next plan from it.
What should I plan before the season starts?
A master checklist. List every individual and team skill you need to teach, place each one on the season calendar, and prioritize essentials over non-essentials — you will not get to everything. Then build a delegation list so each assistant coach or parent knows exactly which duties and skills are theirs.
This is the what — Planning and Coaching – Coach as a Professional in the Proactive Coaching library teaches the how, free for 7 days or with membership — $180/year.
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