When we think of elite level performers in any field, it is tempting to ask the question why are some people more skilled or talented than others?

Is it because they were born with an innate natural talent? Or is it because they are highly motivated and have practiced in a very planned, organized and diligent manner?

Ericsson and Pool (2016) tell us that mastery, or expert performance, needs the accumulation of many thousands of hours. However, the simple accumulation of hours is insufficient. Practice needs to be purposeful or deliberate, and not just automated or naïve.

The difference between the two can be readily explained using the driving analogy.

As you read this analogy and explore the different stages of learning, consider how well this applies to the development journey of a young football player. Think about what you do in your practice to structure sessions and guide performance improvement.

When we first learn to drive, we are in the "cognitive" stage of learning. We tend to pay attention to the step-by-step execution of the skill, which consumes considerable attentional capacity. The result of using conscious control strategies is that the movement is relatively slow, abrupt, and inefficient. Consequently, performance is rather inconsistent. Players may experience frustration during this phase because of a perceived lack of success. Improvement in performance in these phases, however, can be rapid.

Can you remember what it feels like to be a beginner? What help or support did you want and need from your instructor to learn and improve? How were your driving lessons organized and structured?

No doubt you had step-by-step instructions that were chained together. You would have been given the opportunity to practice and acquire these skills before the next series of chained instructions were offered. You may also have received positive supportive feedback as well as corrective feedback on your driving ability.

Once the new driver has acquired the basics of driving they transition into the second or "associative" phase. Driving becomes more consistent and movement adjustments are more subtle. Aspects of driving are controlled more automatically and more attention can be directed to other elements of performance. Drivers are capable of doing more and can be further stretched and challenged.

Once you had mastered the basics, how did you develop? How did your instructor help you? You probably had lots of driving time and spent many miles driving in unfamiliar areas to challenge your navigation, driving and decision-making. Instructions, commands and prompts would still have been go-to tools for your instructor. They may have used questions to challenge your thinking, creativity and independent decision-making skills.

After extensive practice, the driver enters the "autonomous" phase. Driving is largely automated, requiring little or no conscious attention. It is characterized by fluent and seemingly effortless motions.

As a competent driver, how do you continue to develop your skills? Is it just more driving time? In the absence of the instructor, how do you source internal feedback to guide your learning and development process?

What does it actually take to develop mastery or expertise?

Ericsson contests the common view that expert-level performance is simply the result of talent and natural abilities. He argues that differences between expert and average performers are due to long periods of deliberate effort to improve performance in a specific area. 

While some characteristics such as height are genetically prescribed, talent is not defined by what you are born with. It’s about consistently and deliberately working to improve your performance.

What is deliberate practice?

• Deliberate practice is a highly structured activity; laser focused on specific goals that will improve performance. Improvement is the key driver.
• Deliberate practice is different from just repetition of a task. It requires significant effort and it is not inherently enjoyable.

Keep this in mind as you plan for the rest of your summer heading into the fall season and make sure everything you do has a purpose and strives toward becoming elite.

ALSO: USA Football's Practice Smart Course, with Tony Dungy

Sarah McQuade is an independent coach education consultant, owner and director of e.t.c coaching consultants and co-director with The Coach Learning Group. To learn more about accessing how-to coach skills workshops click the Coaching Skills button at www.etcoachingconsultants.com.