True or False: Practice Makes Perfect

FALSE! Practice makes PERMANENT. Only perfect practice makes perfect!

This was a concept I learned in high school as I worked very hard to earn an athletic scholarship. I was a 2-guard (shooter) on the basketball court and a shortstop on the softball field. I worked very hard on the court/field and in the weight room in order to achieve my goal of becoming a Division I athlete. When I finally made the decision to pursue basketball over softball, I was in the gym every day, sometimes twice a day. I would shoot 1,000 shots/day. The success in one's shot can be directly correlated with one's form. Can you imagine if I had been shooting 1,000 shots, but had terrible form? I would have been practicing, but all of that practice with bad form would have made my shot permanent (and I can guarantee you that no college coach would have given me the time of day). The same concept can be applied to all sports.

This concept came back to me this morning during my looong run (18 miles). I don't listen to music, as I like to free my mind and be able to clearly think. Running, for me, is so liberating, and I feel that music would only be a distraction and negate my purpose. Anyways, I always see lots of other runners. Some have good form, and some have bad form. While I am no Olympic runner, I do understand the importance of having good form, and I feel that my experience allows me to be able to speak on this subject. Whether it be shooting a basketball, hitting a softball, lifting weights, running, or partaking in any athletic activity, one's form is crucial and plays a major role in success and injury prevention.

So, remember...practice makes permanent. Only PERFECT practice makes perfect!