5 Things That Will Drain The Energy Out Of Your Training Session

The goal of any basketball training is about keeping players engaged, motivated, and active. Yet, despite the best intentions, certain coaching habits can zap energy from a session, leading to boredom and missed opportunities for growth. Here are five common energy-draining mistakes coaches often make:

1. Sitting Down for Team Talks

While it may seem like a good way to regroup and discuss strategy, sitting down for a team chat during the training session easily causes players to disengage and lose their momentum. Messages from the coach at training should rarely last more than 60 seconds, and keeping players standing encourages us to keep talking points brief and purposeful. This keeps players mentally sharp and physically ready to jump back into action.

2. Long Instructions

When instructions drag on, athletes lose focus. Young players in particular have short attention spans and are best served by concise, clear direction. Coaches often fall into the trap of over-explaining drills or concepts, which can lead to frustration or zoning out. Keep instructions short, precise, and actionable. A quick demo followed by immediate practice is far more effective than a lengthy lecture. The aim is to get athletes moving and learning through doing, not just listening.

3. Frequent Pausing

Ever played a video game or a watched a Netflix series with someone who loves to hit the pause button every minute? It’s annoying, and yet we often fall into this trap in the pursuit of perfection at training - interrupting the natural flow and rhythm of training. While it’s necessary to stop occasionally for corrections or adjustments, excessive breaks sap momentum. Players lose their intensity and excitement when asked to stop and restart repeatedly. Instead, aim for continuous play or practice. Allow mistakes to happen and provide coaching feedback during active play whenever possible. This helps players stay in the zone and build endurance.

4. Lack of Voice Projection

One way that coaches spread energy is through their voice. A quiet, monotone delivery can be draining for players, leaving them uninspired. Conversely, using a clear, strong voice projects confidence and enthusiasm, keeping athletes alert and engaged. It’s not about yelling but using an energetic tone that commands the attention of players and motivates them.

5. Lines of 4+

When players are standing in long lines waiting for their turn in a drill, energy drops quickly and mischief builds . Long lines lead to boredom and disengagement as athletes spend more time standing still than participating. Instead, organise drills in smaller groups or stations to maximise each player’s time with the ball and in action. The more movement and involvement, the higher the energy level will stay throughout the session.