I'm rethinking how I open practice. Right now we start slow — warmup, some individual work, then build up to live reps toward the middle/end. I'm considering flipping that: open with short, fast small-sided scrimmages (4v4) right out of the gate, before any teaching, specifically to set the tone for pace and urgency from minute one. The idea is that if "play fast, play with urgency" is something I want baked into their identity, starting practice that way every day reinforces it more than talking about it or easing into it. But I also don't want to burn them out physically/mentally before we get to teaching new stuff, or have sloppy habits get reps before I've had a chance to coach anything. Has anyone structured practice this way — competitive/live reps first, teaching second? How did it affect focus and execution later in practice?

Do you still sprint into LockLeft roles on the run—even while they’re pushing—or do you first “build the wall” and only enforce roles once we’re set back? First-year lockleft coach with JV Boys - worried a lack of athleticism will have us failing to get back into our roles/spots quickly enough and getting beat in transition, especially off of a live turnover or missed shot. Thanks!