Contrast and Novelty in Training

In addition to having routine, you need to mix in novel routines and contrast. Let me give an example: It’s the middle of the week, you have been practicing the same routines on Wednesday every week for 8 weeks. You all know what you need to do. No one is paying attention as the coach is yelling about the same thing he has been yelling about all year. This is the time for a live scrimmage. This is time, if your playing football, for everyone to switch to a different position and run a few plays. If your playing basketball, switch positions and have a scrimmage. If you are always doing sprints after practice, go jump in the pool or do yoga for 20 minutes, or something different. In psychology, it has been proven that we need contrast to our routine. Sometimes this is as simple as taking a break and a few days off, sometimes it means incorporating new activities or exercises like I just mentioned. So it is important to have great routines but also contrast it with novel activities as well. Be creative, be fun, tell your coach I said it and that it’s been proven through research. And remember why you played in the first place, because it was fun. Contrasting activities remind you of the fun of playing and being physical.