The use of male practice players has become a common practice in women’s basketball. This season, our practice squad was made up of seven guys – Ryan, Christoff, Jason, Justin, Kevin, TJ, and Ben. (Left to right on the photo below. Ben is missing from the photo).
The practice players are invaluable to the growth of the team. When our players go against the guys, they have to be aggressive. It makes the level of practice higher, more exciting, and more physical. The guys raise the intensity on a daily basis, which really helps to keep the practices spontaneous and competitive. They help the players get more repetition on offense and defense while eliminating the familiarity of always competing against teammates. The guys are most useful when preparing for a team. They learn the opponent’s offense and execute it, while the Bulls focus on defensive strategies.
All practice players have to go through the same administrative hurdles as the student- athletes, including registering with NCAA clearinghouse, getting sickle cell shots, undergoing physicals, attending compliance meetings and filling out paperwork. You know the guys are serious when they undergo this long and thorough process. The practice players receive a pair of shorts, a reversible, and a couple of t-shirts that they get to keep at the end of the year. That’s the extent of the free perks. But the players don’t do it for the tangible benefits. They like being a part of a group. They really have become a part of our family. They understand it’s not about them. They all get it and it’s really important. They’re here to make our team better and they never have a “bad day.”
Thank you- Kevin, Justin, Ryan, TJ, Christoff, Ben, and Jason! We appreciate everything you have done for the Bulls family!
The practice players are invaluable to the growth of the team. When our players go against the guys, they have to be aggressive. It makes the level of practice higher, more exciting, and more physical. The guys raise the intensity on a daily basis, which really helps to keep the practices spontaneous and competitive. They help the players get more repetition on offense and defense while eliminating the familiarity of always competing against teammates. The guys are most useful when preparing for a team. They learn the opponent’s offense and execute it, while the Bulls focus on defensive strategies.
All practice players have to go through the same administrative hurdles as the student- athletes, including registering with NCAA clearinghouse, getting sickle cell shots, undergoing physicals, attending compliance meetings and filling out paperwork. You know the guys are serious when they undergo this long and thorough process. The practice players receive a pair of shorts, a reversible, and a couple of t-shirts that they get to keep at the end of the year. That’s the extent of the free perks. But the players don’t do it for the tangible benefits. They like being a part of a group. They really have become a part of our family. They understand it’s not about them. They all get it and it’s really important. They’re here to make our team better and they never have a “bad day.”
Thank you- Kevin, Justin, Ryan, TJ, Christoff, Ben, and Jason! We appreciate everything you have done for the Bulls family!
