Playing and Practice.  The Importance of in Between Game Drilling

So, while we are looking at improving our game, we should look at practice.  You know the saying practice makes perfect.  I kinda prefer Perfect practice makes perfect.   Playing at a field is not necessarily practicing.  Unless you are going out to the field every weekend, its hard not to repeat the same mistakes.  For the rest of us that can't go out as often and still wish to improve, there are ways to do this.  Drills.

Professional athletes drill basic exercises and plays to make them second nature.  Hard to improve on that lay-up or slap shot in a game, when the pressure is on!  Drill repetition gives you a chance to analyze your technique for weakness, improve them and increase your skill level.

Types of Drills

There are a few types of drills that we can work with.

Simple Repetition drill.  Do and exercise many, many times.  Lets say that you want to improve your snap shooting.  Set up a bunker and target and  'double-tap' the target.  This should be done incessantly!  Practice from various positions.  Standing, kneeling, Prone, In a chair, on your back, on your side.  Any position you may find yourself in on the field.

Fatigue Drill.  Anyone can pull off that shot while fresh.  Try Sprinting, do push ups then snap shoot.  Do it again.  And again.  How is your focus and accuracy now?  This can represent battlefield conditions and the need to stay calm and focused under pressure.

Stress Drills.  I love these! Get someone beside the target you are shooting at and have them fire at you!  Still try your snap shooting.  You have to hit the target before they hit you.  This will make your sight recognition and reaction really good.

You can run drills for any aspect of your training.  Either solo, with a friend or, with a team.  The important thing is that you practice.

Where can you do this? 

Well this can be the tough part.  You can practice in your back yard if you have the space.  This is great because it costs nothing.  The problem is you might have issues with your neighbours, so you might want to keep it unobtrusive.  Don't wave the gun around and whoop and holler. There also might be by-law issues about discharging a fire arm within the city limits.  Best to check first, just to be safe.

You can go and talk to a local farmer.  This has worked in the past and many do this.  Ask if you can use a small, corner of the field, away from everything.  Tell them you won't disturb anything, will be perfectly safe and will clean up any mess.  Make sure you do so.  This is not as far fetched as you might think.

You could go to your local field either early before the games start or at the end of the day for a brief bit of practice.  Talk to the owner.  You may get in for free if you play there regularly.

Remember practicing can improve your reaction time, speed and technique.   It can also help 'gel' that team maneuver that you want to pull off at the next scenario or game.