I was going over a video last night (late I might add) and this athlete was practicing shots and looking pretty good to the untrained observer. However, the ole ball coach did not like one aspect of the practice.
1. The athlete dropped the ball to hit the shot; I would rather see the athlete hit the setup to themselves and then execute the shot.
2. The athlete did not seem to understand where on the front wall the ball had to go. I would almost rather a temporary target be setup for the athlete to aim for.
3. The athlete was not moving. A drop and hit and movement is essential to hone your craft and get the results you want, but half speed movement in a correct manner is important to get to full speed.
4. Also I saw no evidence of a journal. Mistakes, corrections, and things you must do to execute perfectly should be committed to memory. For most people that means writing it down. I do admit some people can remember without writing, but that is a small percentage of people.
One other observation I had was this is the hardest part of learning. Changing the skill set is not easy. I know, I had played 15 years a different way when I was told I could never change my mechanics and footwork.
My first thought was and still is, “Who made that rule?” I am glad I did not listen to the people who told me that.
Fast forward to what I see today. Many athletes are fighting a self-imposed ceiling due to slight mechanical deficiencies. These imperfections seem to be glaring in pressure matches or situations.
Fix it and go get’em tigers!!