Your First CLA Practice Plan

Definition

A CLA practice plan starts with a single behavior you want to see more of, then sequences warm-up, skill game, small-sided game, and live play around that target.

Why it matters

Most practices try to teach everything and end up teaching nothing. A focused CLA plan gives players hundreds of representative reps on one clear target per session.

Examples

• Target: paint touches. Warm-up = 2-ball handling, Skill = 1v1 from the catch, SSG = paint-touch 4v4, Live = 5v5 with bonus point per paint touch.
• Target: defensive closeouts. Skill = closeout & contain, SSG = 3v3 closeout starts, Live = full game with closeout audit.

Practical application

• Pick ONE behavioral target per practice; write it on the whiteboard.
• Every block must connect to the target — if it doesn't, cut it.
• End with live play under the same constraint so transfer is obvious.

Common mistakes

• Stacking three different targets and confusing the players.
• Skipping the live block and never seeing if the behavior transferred.