These are the players who often don't give it their all during practice situations. They think they can just go through the motions during the week and somehow their skills and talent will magically appear come game time. It's these players who have many ups and downs throughout the season because they don't work hard enough to earn the confidence necessary to be more consistent. On the other hand, many of you have another group of players who look great in practice situations. However, when the game starts these practice all-stars seem like completely different people in prime time.
Game day puts a lot more stress on many players which obviously can create a lot of problems.
The doubts and distractions associated with added stress can disrupt your players' focus, cause them to tense up and become tentative, and lose control of themselves. Whether it's going from practice situations to games, or from regular season games to the pressure-packed playoffs, stress causes many players to forget and abandon the physical, mechanical, and mental skills that lead to success. Keys to Consistency Since poor preparation and stress are often the causes of inconsistent play, it is critical that coaches teach players how to properly prepare for games and how to perform under pressure to help them be more consistent. Proper Preparation Proper preparation really begins during practices. Remind your players that practice is designed to help them master the skills needed to play the game.