Practice Mode vs. Game Mode
The athlete needs time to work on technique, to sweat the details on footwork, route breaks, and focused skill development (that is practice mode). The athlete also needs to be able to shut down all the heavy thinking required in practice mode during the game.
A different mindset is required for practice mode vs. the game mode. Practice, “purposeful practice”, is the time to breakdown all the required skills for whatever position your athlete plays. And this is why, when engaged in practice, it is purposeful, focused and isolated on specific skill sets.
Practice mode is when the coach and athlete spend time thinking through what is being done while simultaneously doing that task. It involves walk-thrus, rewinds, and some tedious, minor adjustments to motor functions while thinking through the “what, why and how” of those adjustments.
“Game Mode,” on the other hand, relies entirely on instinct and confidence. When in game mode, the last thing the athlete should do is get back up in his/her head and start questioning their abilities.
And this why all that prep work, (physical and mental), ahead of time is so critical. Game mode requires a short-term memory (the delete button) so the athlete can stay focused on the most important play of the game – the next play.
Understanding the developing the “mental silos” of Practice Mode and Game mode is not a magic formula. It doesn’t prevent slumps, exhaustion, physical mistakes and shortcomings, or remove costly mental lapses.
Practice/Game Mode is simply a tool for the athlete to create separation between the mindset required for effective practices vs. effective games. It helps the athlete avoid physical and mental whipsaw adjustments – the athlete understands that today I am in practice mode mindset so I’m allowed to question the (what, how and why) of my golf swing. And tomorrow I will be in game mode mindset so I’ll be allowed to let go and confidently rely on today’s practice preparation and adjustments.
And keep in mind that minor adjustments will always be required during a game (the opposition gets a vote, after all!) The point is the 7th inning of a state baseball championship is probably not the time for a struggling fastball pitcher to lose confidence, retool and transition into a knuckleballer.
