The Practice Perfect book has seven chapters that cover different topics related to becoming a better athlete. The first chapter, “Practice Makes Perfect” introduces the concept of practice and its importance for success in sport and life. The chapter explains how practice works and why it is essential for continued success. The authors discuss how practice creates and strengthens neural pathways in the brain, allowing athletes to improve their skills and performance. They also describe the importance of setting goals and having an overall plan of attack. The authors provide a real-life example of a teenage swimmer who, through repeated practice, improved her times by nearly ten seconds in a fifty-meter freestyle race.
The second chapter, “Train Your Brain”, focuses on the importance of developing mental skills. This chapter introduces the idea of psychological skills training (PST) and discusses how it can benefit an athlete in different situations. The authors provide resources to get started on PST, such as books and certified trainers. They explain how to assess the mental skills of an athlete and how to create a plan to build those skills. The chapter also covers techniques such as visualization and positive self-talk. The chapter provides an example of an Olympic swimmer who used his mental skills to perform at an even higher level.
The third chapter, “Develop a Routine”, looks at the importance of creating and maintaining a practice routine. The authors discuss how a routine provides structure and consistency and can help athletes of all levels accurately track their progress. They provide an example of a swimmer who created a daily practice routine that included specific time goals, drills, and intervals. As a result, the swimmer had improved results in competition.
The fourth chapter, “Staying Motivated”, focuses on how athletes can stay motivated while practicing. The authors discuss the idea of intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation and the importance of understanding both types. They provide a real-life example of an Olympic swimmer who switched from an extrinsic approach to a more intrinsic one. After developing goals and finding positive reinforcements, the swimmer found she had a greater desire to practice.
The fifth chapter, “Recover and Recharge”, covers the importance of rest and recovery. It examines the role of recovery in preventing injuries and improving performance. The authors discuss different ways to manage recovery such as nutrition, sleep, and physical activities. An example from the chapter is a marathon runner who took a more active approach to recovery by incorporating yoga, foam rolling, and an ice bath into her daily routine. These tactics greatly improved her recovery times and performance.
The sixth chapter, “Practice Perfect with Technology”, looks at the use of technology to enhance the practice experience. The authors discuss common technologies used in sport, such as wearable devices, virtual reality, and game simulations. They provide an example from the chapter of a figure skater who incorporated data-driven training into her practice sessions. By using her data to set goals and adjust her technique, the athlete was able to improve her performance significantly.
The seventh and final chapter, “Commit to Perfect Practice”, provides an overview of the key takeaways from the book. It discusses the importance of developing and maintaining a practice routine, the use of mental skills and technology, and the need for rest and recovery. The authors also emphasize the need to maintain a positive attitude and to practice with ultimate commitment to become the best athlete possible. The chapter provides a real-life example of a professional basketball player who used the techniques and mindset discussed in the book to become a successful, all-star athlete.
