“I played hard every day in practice, so playing hard in a game was just a habit,” Michael Jordan said. Practice is the most important aspect of any team. It’s the opportunity to develop foundational skills, learn the system, build team chemistry, and develop a championship team culture. Although coaches spend significant time evaluating game performance, practice evaluation is critical for champion programs. Here is a system for evaluating practice each day:
- Determine the Metrics: The first aspect of the practice scorecard is to determine the metrics used for the evaluation. Although coaches find value in many areas, narrowing the focus allows for a simple evaluation for sustained results. For example, some coaches use effort level in practice as the one evaluation metric. Others with more time and resources may combine effort, attitude, and technique error. Narrow the metrics to what’s reasonable in your program. What metrics matter most for your team during practice?
- Create the Evaluation: The second aspect of the practice scorecard is creating the evaluation tool. Coaches should decide on the number of levels and the criteria for each level. Using a 1-5 Likert Scale often works well due to the many other areas it’s used in and examples that exist. Determine a level name for each number and then create the specific criteria needed to reach that level. How clearly do you define the evaluation system?
- Outline the Plan: The third aspect of the practice scorecard is to outline the plan for all coaches, support staff, and players. Everyone in the program should know and understand the purpose behind the system and how it functions each day and week. How clearly do you outline the plan for everyone involved in the program?
- Evaluate Each Day: The fourth aspect of the practice scorecard is evaluating players each day based on the evaluation criteria and system. Each position coach receives a spreadsheet of their players and throughout practice they make note of anything that aligns with specific areas of the evaluation. After practice, they enter a 1-5 into the practice gradebook. The gradebook is an excel spreadsheet that has each player and day, and it averages out each practice throughout the week. The running average provides clear insight into how each player performs at practice. How streamlined is the evaluation strategy for each day and week?
- Communicate Performance: The fifth aspect of the practice scorecard is to communicate with each player where they’re at with their practice performance. Two ways exist for communicating performance: the first is to meet with each player individually and briefly to tell them where they’re at and how they can improve; the second way is to create a practice performance depth chart that ranks players on their level of performance in practice. Both methods clearly communicate performance based on a set list of criteria. How transparent are the results for players?
- Guide Improvement: The final aspect of the practice scorecard is to guide players in improvement. Through the use of quick conversations, longer meetings, and player profiles, it’s important to help players develop a process for continuous improvement. What is your system for guiding players to improve?
The purpose of practice is to consistently build the skills and attitude necessary to achieve the desired results. Evaluating practice provides an objective analysis of how each athlete performs and the growth of the entire team. While no system is perfect, implementing a practice evaluation also provides an opportunity to revise and determine what matters most for the program.
What is your system for evaluating practice?