The Hidden Benefits of Playing Competitive Games in Practice

"Mistakes most players make in a game have to do with the defense."

I came across this quote while listening to an interview with Brian McCormick, author of The 21st Century Basketball Practice.  His observation, though seemingly obvious, makes a lot of sense.  I would bet that the defense played a part in almost every one of our turnovers last season.  In fact, it's one of the main reasons we decided to get our defense more involved in our practices.  Let me explain.

For much of my 14-year career I relied on a staple diet of breakdown drills without defense to teach various components of our offense.  Whether that was playing 5 on 0, 3 on 0, or skill development work (1v0) - we often drilled individual technique and offensive movement without defense.  And you know what?  We were pretty good at taking care of the ball playing 5v0.  

Eventually, we would compete in "live" situations in practice but the majority of our learning, or what we thought was learning, was done without defense on the court.  Over the years, our frustrations mounted as our offensive excellence in walk-through (5v0) did not seem to transfer to the games.  We practiced great spacing, and went through all of our offensive options.  We told our players the types of passes they should make, the driving angles that would be open, and the shots we were likely to get.  Yet, we still turned the ball over 20 times per game almost every year.

Then we tried something different.

Two years ago we restructured our offensive practice into a series of small-sided, competitive games.  We started doing less 5v0 and a lot more 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, and 4v4 within the context of our offense.  

For example, we like to initiate our offense with a 2-man game at the top of the key between our point guard and our high post player.  In the past, we would drill this in 2v0 to practice the options (pick and roll or give and go).  Then we would play 5v0 and look for opportunities to play 2-man at the top.  That would culminate in 5v5 at the end of practice where we would "see what it looks like."  Funny thing was, it always looked better without the defense on the court.

Now we teach this progression much differently:

1. We still begin with 2v0 to explore the options - and we encourage our players try something different every time.  We use all six baskets in the gym to maximize our repetitions.  We do this only as long as it takes for the players to understand the possibilities.

2. When introducing our offense, we play 2v1 with the defender guarding the ball.  The dribbler still plays 2-man with the high post, but she must take the first shot before the high post player is allowed to score (usually on an offensive rebound).  This helps our high post player screen a live body in pick and roll, and pass to a defended player in give and go.  

3. Once the offensive players are successful about 50-60% of the time in 2v1, we will immediately move to 2v2.  Initially, we allow them to play without keeping score so that they are free to experiment with the 2-man options.  We want them to try different variations and scoring moves without fear of making mistakes that would cost their team points.

4. Finally, we play live 2v2 with the winner of the possession earning a point.

We have created dozens of competitive games to drill our individual fundamentals and offensive movement with the goal of getting as many repetitions against live defense as possible.  

Amazingly, since making this shift in practice two years ago, our average number of turnovers per game has dropped to less than 15 each of the past two seasons.  How can this be?

Brian McCormick and Mark Upton have been studying the usefulness of small-sided games for a number of years.  Here are some of the hidden benefits of playing competitive games in practice.

1. Playing against defense randomizes the drill.  Spacing becomes skewed, driving angles change, and shot selection will vary much more when playing against live defense just as it would in a real game.
2. Executing fundamentals in an actual game involves three parts.  Consider the process a player experiences when attempting a run-out layup:

1. Perception - How many defenders are back?  Who are they?  Can they stop me?  Who's behind me?  The brain must quickly gather information so that it can quickly...
2. Make a Decision - Can I beat the defense to the rim and shoot off one foot?  Should I jump stop and finish off two feet for more balance and control?  
3. Contested Execution - Performing the technical skill against a live defender (a one foot layup or two foot jump stop).

All three parts are essential in a game situation, yet traditional 1v0  or 5v0 drills do not develop the player's perception or decision-making, nor do they simulate contested attempts.

3. More effective and efficient repetitions.  Small-sided games increase the number of game-like repetitions.  McCormick sites a Manchester Metropolitan University report comparing 4v4 soccer matches to 8v8 games.  The 4v4 players averaged:
1. 135% more passes
2. 260% more scoring attempts
3. 500% more goals
4. 225% more 1v1 encounters

If skill development is the product of game-like repetition, small-sided games offer more opportunities for individual players to get more game-like repetitions than traditional 5v5 scrimmages.

4. Greater levels of engagement.  Competitive games tend to increase intensity while holding an athlete’s attention longer than 1v0 or 5v0 breakdown drills.  Games are fun. Competing is fun.  Players are likely to give a greater effort doing something they enjoy.

Small-sided, competitive games are a great way to teach skills that transfer from practices to games.  They allow individual athletes to get more game-like, contested touches than traditional breakdown drills, and they are more enjoyable for the players...  And did I mention that the more we practice against defense, the fewer mistakes defenses cause us to make?

Food for thought.

FOOTNOTES

It is difficult to prove that small-sided, competitive games alone could cause our turnovers to drop so dramatically from one season to the next.  Certainly other factors are at play including new personnel, a changing schedule, etc.  That being said, the correlation between the two variables (small-sided games and turnover reduction) appears to be strong.  

Recommended Reading:

The 21st Century Basketball Practice by Brian McCormick

Fake Fundamentals, by Brian McCormick

An interview with Brian McCormick on Game-Based Practices

Practice Design - Give Something to Get Something by Mark Upton