Winning the First Five Minutes
Great athletes win practices by winning the opening minutes.
The first five minutes of practice or competition set the tone for everything that follows. Athletes who start slow often stay slow. Athletes who begin with urgency, focus, and clean execution carry that momentum throughout the session.
Treat the opening minutes like a performance test: sharp footwork, intentional communication, and active engagement. Coaches notice — and teammates feed off that energy.
How to win the opening phase:
- Start practice at game-speed
- Lock in one technical cue
- Use strong body language immediately
- Lead teammates with early effort
Vickers, Decision Training (2007)
Start Fast\n• First minutes set the tone\n• Lead with energy and precision\n• Build momentum from the start
Begin today’s practice with your highest focus of the week.
