As a coach, not much that you do is more important than how you structure your practice.

The types of drills, methods, and games you use are critical choices.

In recent years, there has been a movement towards more game-based coaching. The belief behind this is that the best practice most closely mimics the game.

That belief is sound. However, I think it's gone too far. Some now believe that any coaching that isn't game-based is insufficient.

In the coming weeks, we are going to look at the different types of practice - block, serial, and random. We will then look at how you can apply them to a common growth area for players - weak hand development.

Like many of the hot button topics in today's world - global politics, Lebron v MJ, Chick-fil-a v Cane's - the debate around block practice seems to have been simplified to an all or nothing, black or white debate.

It's not that simple! Read on to find out why.

What Is Block Practice?

In simplest terms, block practice is practicing the same skill over and over again, repetitively.

There is little to no variance between repetitions. The goal of block practice is often to master a certain technique.

Examples could be:

1. Shooting 100 free throws in a row
2. Hitting 50 8 irons in a row at the driving range
3. A kindergarten student doing a worksheet where they repeatedly write one letter over and over again
4. Playing the same chord over and over on the guitar as you learn where the fingers go

Block practice is used in all domains, not just basketball. With regards to basketball, it has been around probably since James Naismith invented the game.

In fact, many of you who are reading this likely learned the game primarily through block practice.

(The fact that you love the game and are coaching it encapsulates one of the debates around block practice that will be addressed later.)

The Backlash Against Block Practice

In the last decade, block practice has come under fire. There are a number of reasons why. Let's go through some of them while considering counterarguments:

1. Block practice is considered boring

For many, block practice might conjure images of lines and cones. A lot of players don't find that very exciting.

That said, we mentioned above that many of today's coaches learned the game through block practice. And despite the stereotype that it's boring and soul-crushing, you still love the game enough to invest your time and energy into coaching it.

Now, that's not to say there's not a better way to do it. We should always be trying to use best teaching and coaching practices. But it is to say that learning through block practice does not necessarily turn athletes off to the game.

2. Block practice lacks game context

In terms of basketball, block practice is done "on-air", or without a defender. Critics point out that this does not simulate the game.

This is a valid criticism. The game provides challenges that block practice doesn't.

However, it's worth considering where your players are in their learning. Are they able to use correct technique against an opponent? We will revisit this below.

3. Block practice falsely signals learning

Studies have shown that athletes who use block practice "look" like they are learning more. However, their "learning" does not translate to competition as well as those who learn using variable and random practice (stay tuned, as those will be addressed in future articles).

You shouldn't discount the data. Instead, use it to your benefit. Ronald Reagan famously said, "Trust, but verify." Good coaches live by this saying.

You should put value in what you see from block practice. However, because you know the data, you should make sure to test what you see in a game setting.

In other words, these findings don't discount the use of block practice. What they suggest is that it shouldn't be used exclusively. It needs to be paired with other types of practice.

The Benefits Of Block Practice

Hopefully your mind is open to the possibility that block practice can help your team. By no means is this an attempt to convince you that block practice should be the primary learning tool for your team.

However, it is to say it should be in your toolbox. Here's why:

1. Block practice is a great way to introduce new concepts

Block practice is effective for initial learning. Most new skills are going to be challenging.

Block practice is a way to try new skills without the distracting stimuli of a game. It allows players to learn without being impacted by a defender or other players.

Yes, they eventually will have to navigate that. But that doesn't have to occur at step 1. Block practice enables them to focus solely on their technique.

2. Block practice is great for confidence

So much of the game is mental. Block practice gives players confidence.

Many people would agree that Steph Curry and Caitlin Clark are the best men's and women's shooters in the world. They both have pregame routines that rely on block practice.

Why? Because it gets them mentally ready to play.

The confidence boost is not just for elite players but for novice players too. The ability to correctly perform a skill is empowering. Once a player can do it "on-air," they are more likely to have the confidence to try it against an opponent.

3. Block practice is essential to coaching youth players

The older and more experienced your players, the less you might use block practice. However, with youth players, it would be a mistake to not use it at all.

It's a way to get players a lot of reps in a short period of time. It also allows you to accurately assess technique. In a game setting, many variables can affect technique.

For instance, you might be unable to tell if a player can shoot a left-hand layup in a game because they don't have the technique or because of the help defender at the rim.

But, if they've shown in block practice that they have mastered the technique, then you know it's more about the defender. You are able to correctly diagnose the problem and use that to guide future instruction.

4. Block practice engrains habits and muscle memory

If you're trying to teach players to do a stride stop, they need to practice stride stops. If you're trying to teach a Euro step, they need to practice Euro steps.

Block practice is a way to engrain those movements. Yes, they eventually need to know WHEN to use them, but if they don't know HOW, the when is irrelevant.

Why Coach Pop, Hurley, and Dame Consistently Use Block Practice

It was mentioned earlier how this block practice debate has lost its nuance. Let's return to that.

Am I saying that block practice is the be all, end all? No. But am I saying you shouldn't use it at all? No.

The best coaches mix different types of practice. I remember reading how Gregg Popovich would start practice with players performing basic jump stops and pivots.

I just saw a video of UConn players practicing figure 8 ball handling drills.

Perhaps most interestingly, I just heard NBA trainer Phil Beckner talk about the benefits of block practice. He became known for his work with Damian Lillard. He was talking up the benefits of block practice with a really powerful argument.

What was it? That players know what work and players believe block practice helps them. The players he works with feel like block shooting and ball handling helps them improve. That alone implies value, even if the benefits are primarily mental.

Whether it's UConn, the Spurs, or Damian Lillard, do I think block practice is the majority of their practice? Probably not. But do I think Pop, Danny Hurley, and Damian Lillard would spend practice time on things they felt had no value? NO!

The best way to think of types of practice is on a continuum. Depending on what you're teaching, the level of your players, the point in the season, and many other variables, you'll constantly be shifting between block, variable, and random practice.

Where Little "Blocks" Make A Big Difference

If there was one perfect way to practice, everyone would do it. The best way is what your team needs.

Last year, my team was struggling with boxing out. I decided to spend 2 minutes a day on boxout technique that was block practice.

Did we magically become a great rebounding team? No - but we did get better. Was it that their technique improved or that they focused on it more because I focused on it more? I don't know. But the results got better and that was significant.

You can use block drills to work on almost any skill. And the great thing is, block drills can be done quickly. In fact, I've heard coaches call them "1 Minute Drills." They serve as fast reminders of good fundamentals.

Two-time state champion Coach Nate runs The Zoom Offense. He uses block drills to work on the passing skills necessary to successfully execute the offense.

Zoom Action involves players taking a handoff and reading the on-ball defender as well as the defender of the player who gave them the ball. Two common passes that players need to be able to make are the hook pass and the pocket pass.

Coach Steege drills those passes with both hands to give players reps and confidence to make those passes.

So just as I would say don't rely on block practice, don't be afraid of it either. Keep that tool sharp - your team will need it and you'll be happy you've got it in your arsenal!

Looking To Practice Like The Pros?

Block practice is at the core of what players do at every level, up to and including the NBA.

If you watch NBA players train, you will see segments of block shooting, ball handling, and dribbling drills.

If you're looking to replicate that type of training, consider:

1. How To Run Championship Practices With Ryan Schultz

Coach Schultz shows practice drills that run the gamut from block to random. Much of his teaching starts with block practice as he scaffolds up to more complex types of drills.

2. The Relentless Pressure System With Mike Hilmer

Yes, you must practice your press live. However, the building "blocks" of the press are effectively taught through exactly that - block practice. Coach Hilmer teaches his players proper slide/sprint/slide technique as well as trapping form before letting them go live, setting them up for success!

What do you think? Let us know by leaving your comments, suggestions, and questions...

Comments Most Likes First   Oldest First   Newest First Tom Ford says: 10/22/2024 at 12:47:42 PM I noticed that there are no references to any research or studies to support these anecdotes, whereas there’s myriad research supporting representative practices and games. And when properly constrained to account for the level and experience of the athlete, these representative games and situational work (I won’t use the word “drill”) are shown to be far better for skill acquisition. Like   1 reply   login   register Joe Haefner says: 10/23/2024 at 10:02:42 AM To be crystal clear, the rebuttal is against the elimination of block practice… The rebuttal is against the notion that block practice doesn’t serve a purpose or maintain any value. I believe in constraints (CLA), SSGs, random practice, representative practice and games, and have promoted them for a long time in our newsletter. I see the value. Last season, approximately 70% to 80% of my team practices for a 4th/5th grade rec team composed of SSGs, 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, 4v4, 5v5, with variations of fewer defenders and additional defenders. We used dozens of different constraints to produce particular outcomes. I don’t believe it’s an all-or-nothing approach. Block practice is a tool in the toolbox and has benefits. Just like anything in life, there are tradeoffs. As mentioned above, block practice is a great tool for initial learning while developing confidence and competence in the skill. But if you only utilize block practice, you’ll lack transfer to game play. The random practice research from Shea & Morgan recognized that benefit of block practice. Also, there are too many complexities and issues with the current research on skill acquisition. - Little research on integrating different practice methods and approaches (typically just A vs. B) - Little research on invasion sports and specifically basketball - Lack of longevity - how often has this been down over the length of seasons? - Differentiation in skill level - Difference between beginners, high schoolers, and pros As skill acquisition expert Brian McCormick, PHD once said to me, “You’d need a lot of participants (and time) to study block vs random vs block + random in any kind of meaningful research design. How many coaches will allow a season to depend on doing only one thing as a research study?” To expand on INTEGRATING different practice methods… I’ve asked many skill acquisition experts and there seems to be very little out there. There is a volleyball study by Goode & Magill (1986). They stated that the integration of block practice and random practice led to better overall performance and retention of skills. How about research on a coach who integrates… Block practice and CLA vs. CLA Only Block practice and CLA vs. Block Practice only Block Practice, Serial Practice, random practice and CLA Vs. CLA Only Block Practice & Random Practice vs. Block Practice Only These are just a few examples. There would be many different combinations to research, but you get the idea. However, I think anything Vs. solely “Block Practice” is a bit silly. Even the most traditional coaches don’t practice that way. They spend some time utilizing live defenders and scrimmages in their practices. It shouldn’t be a discussion of… block practice vs. CLA block practice vs. random practice block practice vs. serial practice Block practice vs. ecological dynamics approach I always go back to the statement by the authors (Ian Renshaw, Keith Davids, Daniel Newcombe, Will Roberts) in the book The Constraints-Led Approach: Principles for Sports Coaching and Practice Design. “Familiarity and ease with the key theoretical ideas behind the CLA is needed by practitioners since it's main methodologies should not be viewed as a magic bullet.” Here’s what Chat GPT said this means: “This statement is emphasizing the importance for practitioners (presumably in a particular field or discipline) to have a strong understanding of the key theoretical ideas behind the CLA (presumably an abbreviation for some methodology or approach). It suggests that practitioners should be familiar with and comfortable applying these theoretical concepts in their work. The mention of the methodologies not being viewed as a "magic bullet" suggests that while the CLA methodologies may be powerful or effective, they are not a guaranteed solution to all problems or challenges. Instead, success with these methodologies relies on understanding the underlying theoretical principles and applying them appropriately in context. In essence, the statement is cautioning against the misconception that simply following a methodology without understanding its theoretical basis will lead to successful outcomes.” And from personal experience… I can tell you without a doubt that when FIRST learning a skill, block practice or constant practice is extremely helpful. Recently, I had this experience when playing tennis for the first time a few years ago. I’m having this experience right now when coaching/training my 4th/5th grade children. When I was struggling with a backhand in tennis, I asked the coach to do less random practice and live play. I asked for about 15-20 minutes to focus on the backhand. After about 10 minutes, something clicked. Then when we went back to live play in that same session, I was firing backhands like never before. I’ve had similar experiences when teaching my boys basketball. I do a ton of random practice/SSGs/constraints with them. Most times, they start executing the skill better after some block practice. There are times when they go slowly through the new skill too. Now don’t get me wrong, I still sandwich that with guided defense, random practice, variable practice, serial practice, CLA, SSGs, and other strategies. Every approach has its tradeoffs. Like     login   register

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