Fixing Errors & Mistakes During Practice

Overview

This article addresses when to fix mistakes during a practice session.  This topic is one that is both extremely obvious AND extremely unintuitive for most teams!  It usually goes something like this…

Cadet Commander: “Platoon, HALT!”

Platoon: *Halts*

Also Platoon: *Immediately Moves to Fix Alignment & Cover*

Does this sound familiar?  If so, read on!  

The Mindset for Fixing Errors or Mistakes

This concept is based on the following assumptions:

1. In a competition (or performance), military bearing MUST be maintained at all times meaning that at NO time can any cadet adjust on the floor during competition!
2. In a standard competition (or performance), a team only gets ONE SINGLE chance to run a drill card or sequence.
3. By adjusting to fix a mistake in practice, we are training ourselves to accomplish the mission after multiple repetitions.

As you can see, if a team is consistently fixing their errors and mistakes immediately they have not adequately trained for what is being asked of each team in competition.

We want to train to do the right thing the first time.  

That sounds pretty obvious, right?  But what about the mistakes?  What do we do with them?  How do we address this in practice without just consistently being incorrect, off-time, or wrong all the time?

Cadets who are called out for making mistakes don’t stop making mistakes, they get better at hiding them in practice.  Competitions have a unique way of exposing them once again.

The Process

There are a few standards we recommend for conducting a practice that more accurately simulates performance when it comes to mistakes:

First, work to eliminate a culture where mistakes are considered “the enemy.”  Hallmarks of this culture include…

• Singling out cadets who make mistakes, even when they KNOW they’ve made a mistake and likely know how to correct it.
• Laughing or giggling at cadets who make mistakes, turn the wrong way, or otherwise perform a movement or sequence incorrectly or below-standard.
• Providing feedback to cadets as to what mistakes were made but NOT how to FIX them in future repetitions.

This seems counterintuitive, right?  But cadets who make mistakes and then are shamed for them don’t stop making mistakes.  Instead, they…

• Learn to HIDE their mistakes without fixing the core issues causing them; such errors are often exposed in competition when it really counts.
• Lose motivation and therefore the willingness to correct a mistake.
• Leave the team as a result of a negative culture OR feeling of inadequacy.

Rather than calling out mistakes, think of them in this way…

• Mistakes are a signal of what we need to work on; we want CLEAR signals from every single cadet on the team so we can improve!
• Some mistakes, such as facing the wrong direction or performing the wrong command while stationary, are opportunities to get a great rep in even if it’s in the wrong direction.  A half-way completed repetition with broken bearing is a wasted opportunity AND a mistake while performing a mistake with great execution and bearing is just a mistake – two things wrong is worse than one thing wrong, right?

Think about it this way: if we didn’t make mistakes, we wouldn’t need to practice.  So start by creating a culture where mistakes are considered normal and “no big deal.”

Instead, start creating a culture where breaking bearing is considered “the enemy.”  This happens in a few different ways:

• After a repetition of a movement or sequence, the team should remain absolutely still and silent.
• Only upon a command should the team move to CHECK their positioning/execution with their HEAD AND EYES ONLY.  
• Do NOT allow cadets to FIX their position/execution/etc. EXCEPT WHEN FIRST LEARNING A SKILL.  
• Give feedback to the team that addresses not only WHAT was wrong but also HOW to fix the issue the next time.
• Reset the team to the beginning of the next repetition, whatever that might be.
• Only THEN allow them to adjust their positioning/execution IN ADVANCE of the next repetition OR give them direction to fix the issues DURING the next repetition.
• NOTE: When marching, if a mistake is made, cadets should instantaneously fix the error with great bearing!

Application

Here is an example for practicing ALIGNMENT while marching and halting:

1. The team commander sets the team in formation and commands, “Right, FACE” and “Forward, MARCH.”  The team marches for a stretch and is given, “Flight, HALT!”
2. The team FREEZES IN PLACE WITHOUT MOVEMENT and awaits direction.
3. The commander gives the command, “Check” upon which the team looks with their head and eyes only to verify their alignment and cover.  The team DOES NOT MOVE to fix any errors.
4. The commander tells the team, “On that halt, it appears the first element was too far forward.  This probably means we’re changing the size of our last step before the halt. On this next rep, you have four steps to correct your alignment.”
5. The commander calls the team to Attention and commences the next repetition.  

A fearful team hides mistakes and tries to shrink into the background.  A great team owns their mistakes uses them to help signal where improvement is needed!

When to Allow Cadets to Fix Mistakes

When learning a new skill or ability, cadets should be allowed to fix their positioning/execution after checking their performance after a repetition.  Rather than performing another repetition, feedback should ALWAYS be given that helps not just identify the mistake but also FIX the issue the next time around.  

Consistent mistakes, especially similar ones from cadet to cadet, while learning signal a need to further break down the skill being taught to help everyone achieve the correct result.  This is another example of how mistakes can HELP a team improve!