The Sincere Student

Practice: The Bridge from Learning to Application

written by Coach Robert

HEADPHONES REQUIRED!!!

What is Practice?

Understanding the role of practice in mastering any skill, especially in basketball, is a transformative revelation. To illustrate this concept, we can use the metaphor of a 360-degree circle, where learning and application are points on this circle, specifically at 0 and 360 degrees. These points are identical, symbolizing that learning and application are essentially the same point on our journey to mastery. However, the path connecting these two points is practice, making it a vital component in the process of skill acquisition.

Learning and Application: The Same Point on a Circle

In the context of a 360-degree plane, 0 degrees and 360 degrees represent the same point. This metaphor beautifully captures the essence of learning and application. Learning is acquiring new knowledge or skill, while application is the ability to use that knowledge or skill effectively. However, without the journey of practice, one cannot effectively transition from learning to application.

Learning is Temporary; Application is Temporary

The journey around the 360-degree plane represents practice. It is through practice that we traverse the path from learning to application. This journey is not instantaneous; it requires time, dedication, and consistent effort. Practice, therefore, is the bridge that connects the temporary nature of learning to the temporary nature of application, transforming them into a more permanent state: Mastery. Meaning, a student must cross that bridge daily, for the rest of their lives, because mastery of any skill is through perpetual practice.

If Coach Robert does not practice, over time, even his skills will decline.

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Achieving Mastery with the Skill

One of the most significant revelations in skill mastery is understanding why players often fail to achieve it. The primary reason is a lack of practice. Practice is not a mere repetition of tasks; it must be focused, driven, and specific to a skill. Consistent, daily practice with a particular skill is mandatory for mastering that skill. Without returning to the skill repeatedly, the knowledge fades away.

Remember the piano students from the story, they were not instructed to practice sitting on their hands or else they would achieve mastery in that. Instead, they were told, specifically, to practice 3 distinct chords...therefore Practice is focused on a specific skill, and not just a half-hearted, un-driven pursuit...when you practice be deliberate and focused on a certain skill for a certain duration of time. Use increments of time, 30 minutes daily is better than nothing at all, but if a student desires to practice 2 hours daily then their growth will be exponential. Kobe taught us this:

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Strengthening Neuro Pathways

Practice has a profound impact on our brain. When we practice a skill, we strengthen the neuro pathways associated with that skill. This process involves creating new neural cells, and through consistent practice, these cells develop veins that branch into other parts of the brain. This deep integration into the brain's network is what makes the skill become a part of us.

As practice continues, the neuron connections reach emotional, memory, and motion-governing neurons, embedding the skill deeply into our lives and memory banks. This process is called skill retention.

Skill Retention: Beyond Muscle Memory

Skill retention, often mistaken for muscle memory, is far more profound. While muscle memory involves subconscious actions, skill retention is the conscious ability to recall and apply knowledge or information. In basketball, conscious application is vital to avoid what Kobe Bryant referred to as "accidental basketball"—playing without understanding or replicating the underlying actions.

Accidental basketball is problematic because it hinders players from consistently reproducing successful outcomes. Returning to a specific skill lesson when needed, therefore, ensures that students not only execute skills correctly on paper but also understand and can replicate their actions on the court, leading to mastery. The same problems generally occur over and over in each game.

The Path to Mastery

Mastery in any field, including basketball, is crafted over time through practice. Many players fail to master skills because they do not practice daily and consistently or misunderstand what practice truly is. Often, they perceive practice as a punishment rather than a crucial component of learning.

This is why practice is the second tenet at Be Like David (BLD), bridging the gap between learning (the 1st tenet) and applying (the 3rd tenet).

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding that practice is the bridge between learning and application is a significant discovery! It highlights the importance of consistent, focused practice on the journey to mastering any skill. Without practice, learning remains temporary, and application remains inconsistent. Therefore, embracing practice as an essential tool in skill development leads to extraordinary results both on and off the basketball court.