14 Oct Fundamentals are never overrated
A brief note to older players: Fundamentals are NEVER overrated.
Fundamentals is how to grip the stick, to the application of offensive spacing, and everything in between. But why practice the fundamentals? The science behind practicing the Fundamentals is that it develops your muscle memory and decreases conscious thought. When competition is fierce, in a fast paced, high stress environment, great players and teams keep their heads cool and focus on the precision of the game winning moment. Having the fundamentals mastered, increases your odds of becoming creative and making split second decisions that work.
Coach John Wooden, the legendary UCLA basketball coach, believed in “Fundamentals before creativity.” He attracted some of the best players in the world. “Coach Wooden believed the teaching of fundamentals, until they are all executed quickly, properly, and without conscious thought, is a prerequisite to playing the game. Drills must be created so that all of the fundamentals are taught to the criterion that players execute them automatically.” He expected this from the absolute best players in his day. In Coach Wooden’s words: “Drilling created a foundation on which individual initiative and imagination can flourish.” – 8 essentials for practice
Mastery of the fundamentals is learned through practice. Players of today have an incredible advantage to study the best to master the Fundamentals. The young folks call it YouTube… Will you use your advantage and practice the Fundamentals?