BEYOND THE SCOREBOARD: Play and Practice

Play is the foundation of learning, creativity, self-expression, and constructive problem-solving. It's how children wrestle with life to make it meaningful. ”.

In today's sports culture, the focus often leans heavily on outcomes—winning or losing. However, it's crucial not to lose sight of the fact that we engage in sports primarily because they're enjoyable. The fun derived from playing can ignite passion, and that passion, in turn, can fuel deliberate practice, fostering discipline and expertise.

So, why is play essential alongside passion?

When we consider sports, the emphasis is frequently on playing to improve, engaging in a form of forceful deliberate practice that might overlook the importance of allowing young children to have fun and discover their passion.

Play involves creating an environment for the sport, such as setting up goalposts, providing a ball, and designating a space. Children can then freely interpret the game—whether it's handball, football, or rugby. This environment encourages them to think, explore, and be creative, discovering multiple solutions to the game. There's no singular correct way to play the sport. The concept of "play" can be incorporated into any setting to elicit a desired outcome without imposing predefined solutions on the kids.

"Practice," on the other hand, is the intentional execution of actions and the provision of external cues and information to achieve a specific outcome. If children are denied the freedom to play and devise their own solutions, the likelihood of engaging in intentional deliberate practice diminishes. Without intrinsic motivation, imposed directives from external sources such as coaches or parents might not drive a genuine commitment to deliberate practice.

There's nothing inherently wrong with practice; in fact, deliberate practice contributes to success. However, striking the right balance between play—creating an environment and allowing children to find their solutions organically—is crucial for cultivating long-term commitment to deliberate practice. It's in this delicate equilibrium that the seeds of sustained passion and disciplined expertise are sown.