Notes on Practice - Practice Makes Permanent, Not Perfect - Strive for Perfection, but Don't be a Prisoner to Perfection

Coach Vern Gambetta's "Functional Path Training" blog is full of wisdom and great insight about issues pertaining to sports. Gambetta wrote a blog entitled, "Mental Toughness, Boot Camps, Navy Seal Training, and Other Nonsense." Gambetta's opening passage captures the essence of what it takes to maximize performance on game day: 

In my experience as a coach and athlete, the athletes who produce in the competition are the ones who are there everyday physically and mentally in training, doing what they are supposed to do with concentration, intensity and effort. They are focused and make each drill and each rep count.

Vern's philosophy on training and practice jibes with mine. Contrary to Allen Iverson's famous diatribe on practice, most elite athletes understand that purposeful practice has a direct impact on their performance and productivity during competition.  Many of us have heard that "practice makes perfect," but this saying is a misnomer. "Practice makes permanent" is a more accurate assessment, and I like to emphasize to athletes that one's attitude and effort during training can result in it either being a "bad permanent," or a good permanent." 

Some like to say that "perfect practice makes permanent," but I also think that's a misnomer and can result in athletes not taking the risks necessary in practice to expand and improve their skill set. Many athletes become scared to fail in their pursuit of what they view as perfection. Athletes should strive for perfection, but shouldn't be a prisoner to perfection. 

Making ever rep and drill count is a great standard for coaches to emphasize and for players to prioritize as they perform their daily tasks. One of my past blogs, "The Quietness of Success," features the video "Small Tasks." Owen Cook's words in the video and the video edits of athletes training are a shining example of what it takes to produce a "good permanent."

"Practice makes permanent is my mantra and for it to be a "good permanent" one must be focused, intense and give their best effort with the goal of making every drill, action, and rep count. 

Adding a Kobe Bryant video that just came out on "Precise Practice." Love this Bryant quote:
"Not about how much you practice, but how much your mind is present when you're practicing."

Complementary Posts: 

The Two Faces of Perfectionism by Tom Jacobs
The Spiraling Learning Process: Practicing on the Edge by Brian McCormick

The Myth of Practice Makes Perfect by Annie Murphy Paul

No. 1 Reason Practice Makes Perfect by Christopher Bergland

Practice Makes Perfect—And Not Just for Jocks and Musicians by Doug Lemov 

Practice Does Not Make Perfect; Practice Makes Permanent by Paul Morin

Coaching to Develop Talent Using The Talent Code by Tony Reiss
Why Practice Actually Makes Perfect: How to Rewire Your Brain for Better Performance - Myelin by Jason Shen