If Practice is Optional…
I got a call earlier this week from a Fast N Wide coach.
He just took over a new job—small school, rural Texas—and about a month in, he hit something he wasn’t expecting.
Here’s what he said:
“Coach Jackson, I’ve got a situation and need your thoughts.
I’ve never seen anything like this… but kids here just miss practice. Regularly.
It’s every sport—and it’s no big deal.I know we need a ‘no practice, no play’ policy…
but how do I actually break this habit before football season starts?”
Let me be clear:
This isn’t an attendance problem.
This is a standard problem.
Because every time a player misses practice and nothing happens…
you didn’t just ignore it—
you taught it.
You taught that showing up is optional.
That commitment is flexible.
That standards depend on the situation.
And you didn’t just teach the player who missed—
you taught everyone watching.
Because they’re always watching who gets held accountable… and who doesn’t.
So when nothing happens, the message is clear:
“This must not be that important.”
And once that message spreads, everything starts to slip—
urgency, discipline, accountability.
Because culture starts here:
Everything is earned. Every day.
And coming to practice?
That’s the absolute minimum standard for any real program.
If we can’t solve accountability at that level…
we have no business demanding:
effort
attention to detail
or the little things it takes to win
Because players don’t follow what you say.
They follow what you allow.
And if practice is optional…
everything is optional.
So what do you do?
Here’s exactly what I told him:
A. Draw the line—and don’t move it
There has to be a clear, non-negotiable standard:
No practice. No play.
Not based on talent.
Not based on circumstances.
Not based on who the kid is.
But also understand this—
they’re operating inside what’s been allowed.
So don’t come in angry… come in clear and firm.
“This is the new standard.”
And then have the discipline to enforce it.
Because every time you don’t… you reset everything.
B. Reward what you want repeated
You can’t just punish—you have to build.
Start recognizing:
perfect attendance
weekly streaks
guys who show up every single day
Put it on a board.
Call it out in meetings.
And in this situation… don’t be afraid to get creative.
Maybe it’s:
two straight weeks → invite them to a post-practice hot dog cookout
a full month → earn a team t-shirt
Have I had to do this before just to get guys to come to practice?
No.
But I’ve also never inherited a situation like this.
And when you’re rebuilding a culture…
you do what’s required to reset the standard.
Because:
What you celebrate… you replicate.
Make showing up something that gets noticed, rewarded, and respected.
Then over time…
it becomes who you are.
C. Put your leadership council to work
If your leaders aren’t involved, this won’t stick.
Bring them in early and let them help define:
consequences
rewards
what accountability actually looks like in your locker room
Because standards hit different when they come from teammates.
When you take over a program, there are going to be changes.
Don’t just announce them—explain them to your core leadership group.
Help them understand the why behind the new standard, then give them ownership in it.
Because once they believe in the “new way”…
they won’t just follow it—
they’ll enforce it, model it, and sell it in the locker room and beyond.
And that’s when it starts to take hold.
Leadership isn’t a title—it’s responsibility.
D. Get parents aligned early
Because if parents don’t clearly understand the standard…
they’ll unintentionally work against it.
You have to communicate this upfront.
Just like you would with your leadership council—
explain the why behind the change.
And use whatever platform you have:
Remind
Band
SportsYou
email, meeting, whatever it takes
Make sure they hear it clearly and consistently.
I know this sounds crazy…
but some parents don’t get it—just like some of the kids don’t.
They’ve been operating inside the old culture too.
So don’t assume alignment.
Create it.
“We understand this has been the standard. No blame.
But with new leadership comes new expectations—and we need your help.”
Because when parents are aligned…everything gets easier.
When they’re not…everything gets harder.
And in a situation like this, you can’t afford confusion.
The Moment of Truth
This is the part where 99% of coaches will nod their head in agreement.
But then…the moment of truth shows up.
When it’s time to sit one of your best players.
Now what?
Is that one game more important than your culture?
It shouldn’t be.
Because that moment…that decision…
that’s where your program is actually built.
Not in meetings.
Not in speeches.
But in what you’re willing to enforce when it costs you something.
Stand strong and build something special.
