As author Dan Coyle writes Tip #20 in his book, The Little Book of Talent, he explains why practicing alone is so important to developing our mental skills. Reason #1 is, “finding the sweet spot at the edges of our abilities”. This is important because we’re more likely to take risks and look silly when we’re on our own. Finding the edge is critical because without it, measuring growth becomes impossible and failing to measure our growth places reliance on outside forces like parents, coaches, teammates and fans. Having a support system like that is extremely important but relying on them for solutions makes this process harder and longer. We want to learn how to rely on our own physical, mental and emotional skills and then seek feedback from trusted relationships. Relying on outside forces makes us feel like a balloon floating through the air, we’ll go in any direction they tell us to - not ideal!
Reason #2 is, “develop discipline, because it doesn’t depend on others.” A plan without discipline is useless. When you create working by yourself as a habit that is discipline. Most of us former athletes understand the notion of forced structure and routine. At whatever point of your career when you finally hung it up, you’re no longer told where to be, when to be there and what to do so you’re on your own to get it done. The foundation of practicing alone is a powerful skill.
Owning your physical, mental and emotional skills only happens by practicing on your own. Young athletes have the blessing of access - access to coaches, clinics, zoom calls and the internet. Their burden however, is how to mentally organize and sift through what is useful now and what might be useful later and what’s not good. The brain needs activity in order to perform those organizational tasks. But, activity that is controlled by the athlete and no one else.
Young athletes need to drill alone more than they perform…see Tip #45 in The Little Book of Talent!