Why Top Athletes Don't "Practice" Anymore

When was the last time you heard Cristiano Ronaldo talk about “practice”?

There’s a reason you haven’t — and it’s not just semantics.

In a revealing conversation with Corey Jez, an analytics expert who has worked in basketball, soccer, and now golf, he shared an insight that’s transforming how elite performers approach their craft: “One of the things I love about soccer — they don’t call it practice, they call it training. That little mindset shift… practice just doesn’t have the same level of intention.”

This subtle language shift represents a fundamental change in how champions approach their development. Here’s why it matters and how it’s reshaping performance across all domains:

The Problem with “Practice”

Think about the last time you went to a driving range. You might see people “whacking balls.” But how many are actually improving? How many are just going through motions without purpose?

This is “practice” in its worst form — activity without intention.

The Training Mindset

The question isn’t “What are you practicing today?” but rather “What are you training today?”

This shift goes beyond semantics because it forces three critical questions:

1. What specific skill are we developing?

2. How does it translate to performance?

3. How will we measure improvement?

The Science of Intentional Development

“We know a lot of the research has shown us that we cannot adapt and grow if we’re not in the right state on that day.”

This is where the training mindset becomes crucial. Consider NBA sharpshooter George Niang’s approach: “He’ll have sometimes where just sits there shooting 20 corner threes in every corner. But what I see guys like that doing in practice is they’re sprinting down the floor, spacing to the corner… then getting a pass, shooting a three.”

The difference? Training replicates real performance conditions. Practice often doesn’t.

The Bottom Line

The next time you’re tempted to say you’re going to “practice,” stop and ask yourself: What am I actually training for? What specific aspect of my performance am I developing?

Because when you shift to training, “it’s got such intention with that word.” And in the pursuit of excellence, intention is everything.

Your Challenge This Week

Take one drill or skill you typically “practice” and transform it into intentional training:

1. Write down exactly what performance situation you’re preparing for

2. Design the drill to match those conditions as closely as possible

3. Track one specific metric to measure improvement

Share your before/after experience with me on Twitter (x) — I’d love to hear how this small shift changes your approach.

Remember: The difference between practice and training isn’t the activity — it’s the intention behind it.

Check out the Podcast Episode!

If you found this interesting, I bet you will love the full interview with Cory Jez!

Give it a watch here: https://youtu.be/pbASa7cvOjM

Book Recommendation:

The 4 Disciplines of Execution: https://amzn.to/3En93b0

If you want to take your understanding of Kobe’s legendary mindset to the next level, “Relentless” by Tim Grover is a must-read. Grover, who trained Kobe for 15 years, dives deep into what he calls the “Cleaner” mentality — the unforgiving, uber-competitive drive shared by the likes of Kobe, Michael Jordan, and Dwyane Wade. Through riveting behind-the-scenes stories and hard-hitting insights, Grover reveals how Kobe’s relentless pursuit of improvement, unshakeable confidence in the face of adversity, and maniacal work ethic set him apart. It’s a raw, unfiltered playbook for turning obsession into excellence.