Character Development Lesson Six

Practice Attitude

It is important for us to understand that we will perform during the season exactly as we practice. In this statement of “Practice Attitude” are some dominant thoughts which we should carry with us to practice each day.

PRACTICE ATTITUDE

Practice does not make perfect – practice makes permanent. No matter what you do, if you practice long enough it will become a part of you. Practice a bad habit and you will become great at a bad habit. Practice being second class and you will be second class. Practice being first class and you will be first class. The choices you make in tough situations will be the habits you develop. When you choose a habit you also choose the end result of that habit.

The habits we choose in the off-season, in summer training, and our daily workouts will be what we become as a team. The habits we choose in practice will be the habits you revert ot when it gets tough in the fourth quarter of a tough ball game. You will perform during the season exactly as you practice.

Our practice attitude is the key to our success as a team. Remember, “What you do speaks so loudly, I can’t hear what you say.” Albert Einstein once said, “Example is not the best way to teach, it is the only way.” Leaders are leaders because of what they do, not what they say they are going to do. Every player must strive to be an example, demonstrating class, discipline, aggressiveness and total effort.

When you practice, work to accomplish something – work to get better. Many people confuse activity with accomplishment. Putting in time or attending workouts ensures nothing. It matters not where you start – what matters is where you finish. Every practice, every workout, is an opportunity for you to get better individually and for us to get better as a team. The way we practice, as a team will be the way we play as a team.