As a coach, have you noticed that your players sometimes struggle to make in-game decisions? Do they freeze up? Do they always look to you to tell them what to do? Is it challenging for them to explain what they’re doing? Are your players hesitant to try something different? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you’re not alone. Whether you have set plays and/or just let the players decide what to do in practice and game situations, it takes decision-making.
In a fun and player-centered team atmosphere, players need multiple opportunities to have some ownership and decision-making in practice, so they are more confident and better equipped to do so in game situations. Like any skill, this does not happen overnight and takes practice. Here’s five ways to get your players thinking more during your practices (some you may already be doing):
#1 Warming Up
Ask 2-3 players each practice to lead the warmup and cool down exercises (dynamic and static stretches). Usually, players know the routine and giving them this opportunity allows them to choose the order—and maybe add a couple of extra stretches that could help them prepare for practice.
#2 Stickwork
Ask a player to lead your stick warm up for the day. Whether you do shuttles, a game, or both—this gives the player in charge for that section the opportunity to make decisions that impact the team.
#3 Choosing Skills
When it’s time to work on a skill, offer the players a couple of game (drill) options and have them vote quickly before beginning to work on that skill. This may seem simple and so easy, but it is effective. Players may choose a game because they find it to be the most fun, it’s a game they want to get better at, or for another reason. Either way, they get to choose. For example, if the skill focus is on ground balls, you can ask players to pick between Hungry Hippos, Steal the Bacon, or 2v2. By doing this, the skill is still worked on, but the players now have a bit more say in how they do it.
#4 Group Discussions
After a game (drill) or after the entire in practice, have a brief discussion about key takeaways (i.e. connections, things that stuck out to them, etc.). Brief reflection discussions are a big help for both the players and you, the coach. For players, it gets them actively thinking and vocalizing what they just did. For a coach, this gives you cues about whether players understood the intention of that part of practice, if there’s confusion, or something else that may come up. This can also influence and inform your next practice (i.e. do they need to work on something more or do they get it well enough that you can move on?).
#5 Try New Things
Encourage players to try something different. Whether it be a stick trick, a different dodge, an adjustment to their defensive stance, or different shot placement—it is important for players to have some variety. Whether it works out as intended or not, ask the players why they made that decision and if they would do anything differently. In doing so, you’re getting them to reflect a bit more and think a little more about what they’re doing. You’re also providing your players with more tools and options during game situations that they may feel more comfortable using because they did them enough times in practice.
Overall, the goal is not for players to just show up, do what they’re told, and go home. The goal is for players to enjoy their lacrosse experience—in practices and in games—and to be able to build understanding along the way. When players have consistent opportunities to make decisions during practice, it can give them more confidence to so during games. When players make these connections and feel more part of the process, they tend to have a better experience. A better, player-centered experience can mean a more fun experience.
Lauren Davenport is the manager of training and performance science for USA Lacrosse and assistant women’s lacrosse coach at Notre Dame of Maryland University.
