What Practice Habits Say About Performance
You show up to every practice. You run the drills, stay on task, and put in the reps. But come game day… something’s missing. The consistency, confidence, or edge just isn’t there.
Here’s the truth: being at practice isn’t the same as preparing for performance. If your habits don’t match the intensity, unpredictability, and pressure of real games, your performance will fall short — even if you’ve “done the work.”
This blog breaks down how athletes can turn every practice into true game prep — and why mindset, intensity, and attention to detail matter just as much as physical reps.
1. Don’t Confuse Attendance with Preparation
Just showing up doesn’t make you better. Athletes who treat practice like a warm-up — going half-speed, zoning out during drills, or avoiding uncomfortable reps — train themselves to be inconsistent.
Signs you’re just going through the motions:
– You only give full effort during scrimmage
– You check out mentally during technical drills
– You don’t correct bad habits unless a coach points them out
– You avoid reps you’re not confident with
Every rep trains a habit. If that habit is slow, unfocused, or hesitant, don’t expect game-day magic to flip the switch.
2. Practice Like You Play — Or Risk Playing Like You Practice
Games are fast, chaotic, and stressful. Yet many practices are slow, predictable, and comfortable. If you want your skills to hold up under pressure, they need to be trained under pressure.
Smart practice habits that build game-readiness:
– Treat every rep like it counts — even in warm-ups
– Add scoring systems to drills to raise the stakes
– Ask coaches for feedback, not praise
– Focus on decision-making under pressure — not just technique in isolation
The goal isn’t to make every practice perfect. It’s to make them realistic enough that the game feels familiar.
3. Train Your Mind Like a Starter — Even If You’re Not One Yet
Game-ready athletes aren’t just physically prepared — they’re mentally sharp, emotionally steady, and confident under fire.
Mental habits that separate game-ready players:
– Positive self-talk after mistakes (e.g. “next ball” vs. “I suck”)
– Visualization of game moments (serving under pressure, recovering from an error)
– Breathing resets to stay calm during tough drills or bad days
– Staying locked in on the bench — ready to contribute at any moment
Mindset is a muscle — and practice is where it gets trained.
4. Effort and Focus Are Your Competitive Edge
When the margin between players is small (and it often is), what separates one athlete from another is intentional effort — not talent.
– The one who sprints to shag balls between drills
– The one who demands more from themselves during skill work
– The one who asks questions, stays late, and wants the extra rep
– The one who encourages teammates even when they’re not the star
Coaches notice these things. Teammates feel it. And game performance reflects it.
Conclusion
Being “game-ready” isn’t about being physically present — it’s about practicing with purpose. It’s about showing up every day like you’re preparing to compete, not just complete the drill.
Because when practice gets real, the game feels natural.
And athletes who train with game-level habits don’t just play better — they lead better, grow faster, and rise when it matters most.
Coach Luc Tremblay is the Founder and Head Coach of Volleyball Winnipeg & Volleyball Calgary.
Luc has been coaching for over 30 years across all age levels and abilities. He leads the VISION coach development program and designed many of the training methods used in our programs. click here.