Overview
This article focuses on where an individual driller’s focus should be in a variety of situations. We’ll use percentage splits (i.e. 80/20 or 100/0) throughout. The first number always refers to the driller’s focus on SELF while the second represents the driller’s focus on the TEAM around them.
Without markers to show where focus should be placed, it’s easy for cadets to accidentally stress the wrong areas of emphasis and therefore limit their own growth, and by extension, the growth and improvement of the team!
When Learning
When learning, drillers should take a 100/0 split. This means 100% of the focus is on their own execution, technique, approach, etc. and 0% of their focus is on their teammates and how they are executing. This is the foundation of the “stand out” approach to practicing because it teaches drillers to value their own execution and understanding of each movement at the highest level.
When Practicing in the Early Season
At the start of each season (and after teaching has occurred), the focus should still be 100/0. Drillers should still value their own execution, technique, timing, etc. highest so that leaders can identify key issues and address them on an individual level. If cadets stress focus on their teammates too heavily, poor habits can be more easily transmitted from teammate to teammate.
When Practicing Beyond the Early Season
As drillers become more and more comfortable with each movement they are asked to perform, we begin to shift their focus from themselves to the situation around them. Here, the split should be closer to 90/10. This means 90% of each driller’s focus is still on their own execution and because of the increased confidence with each movement, there is more space to devote to what’s happening around them. That 10% should be used to identify tendencies of each team member, make one-off adjustments to support great performance, etc. and NOT to “blend in” with those around them.
When Performing
When performing – whether a final run-through at the end of practice or at a competition – we allow the focus to shift to an 80/20 split. At this point, 80% of a driller’s focus should be on performing with great quality while 20% of their focus should be placed on what’s happening around them. In a performance, adjusting to others, “reading” teammates’ signals, and anticipating/recovering from errors is key. However, those moments should be minimized with the intense focus on the individual in the practices leading up to each performance!