The Power of Repetition: From the Lacrosse Field to Professional Dog Training

The Pregame

Bringing the teamwork and discipline of the lacrosse field into the world of behavioral strategy.

Over the past few weeks, a series of events has put me right in the driver's seat of coaching and training in areas far beyond the world of dogs. One of those is the start of the Spring Lacrosse season. I’m currently an assistant coach for a 5th and 6th-grade team in South Davis County—specifically serving the Bountiful, West Bountiful, and Centerville areas.

I’ve been immersed in the lacrosse world since the early 2000s when I was first introduced to the sport in the 9th grade. I fell in love with it immediately. On and off, I’ve coached various age groups over the years, and for the last two seasons, I’ve had the distinct privilege of coaching my oldest son’s team.

Whether it’s youth lacrosse or K9 behavior, success is built on a clear, strategic foundation of repetitions.

The Playbook

Whether I am coaching youth sports, teaching Defensive Tactics to fellow officers at the police department, or working with dog owners, one truth remains constant: The repetition of foundational skills is the most critical piece of the learning puzzle.

The Translation

As a Behavior Strategist, there is one foundational skill I insist my clients master: the positive reinforcement termination marker. You may have heard this referred to as "charging" the marker.

Coach’s Critique

Whether we are talking about dog training, team sports like lacrosse, or high-stakes defensive tactics (fighting) skills, consistent work on the basics is the only way to achieve true proficiency.

The Drill

How do you know if the foundational skill of "charging" your marker has actually created a solid base for your communication? My rule of thumb is this: if your dog hears the marker and immediately looks for a reward with anticipation—even when distracted—you know that the foundation is set.

But remember, this is only the beginning. Once the marker is "charged," the real work begins. This skill is used repeatedly to build a dialogue with your dog. That consistency allows you to tell your dog exactly when they are doing what is expected, whether they are learning a brand-new command or trying to maintain focus in a chaotic environment. By marking that split second of success, you're telling the dog: "What you did right there is exactly what I want you to keep doing."

The Real Win: True mastery isn't found in a single training session; it’s the result of a committed 24/7 Lifestyle where every interaction is a rep.

The Post-Game

The importance of foundational repetition isn't just a personal coaching philosophy; it is a concept deeply rooted in the science of how we learn. To understand why this works, we can look at two specific frameworks:

1. The Behavioral Science of Practice: The Matching Law (by Big Dreamers ABA)

If the "Principle of Repetition" is the how of learning, the Matching Law is the why. As explored by the experts at Big Dreamers ABA, this principle (originally formulated by Richard Herrnstein) explains how we allocate our efforts based on the rewards we receive.

• The "Rate of Reward" Dictates the "Rate of Action": We don't choose behaviors at random; we gravitate toward actions reinforced most often. In sports, an athlete repeats a drill because they’ve seen the "reward" of a successful play. In learning, a student repeats a skill because it consistently gets them what they need.

  
  

• Building vs. Maintaining: Big Dreamers ABA highlights two phases: Continuous Reinforcement (rewarding every rep) to build a new habit, and Intermittent Reinforcement (unpredictable rewards) to make that skill durable and resilient under pressure.

  
  

• Reducing "Cognitive Load": When a behavior is reinforced enough, the "choice" becomes automatic. The learner no longer has to weigh pros and cons; they simply execute the behavior with the highest historical "payout."

  
  

2. Automaticity: The Importance of Repetition (by Thrive Gym)

In their breakdown of the Importance of Repetition, Thrive Gym emphasizes that consistent work on the basics is what allows an athlete to break through performance plateaus.

• The Plateau is Inevitable: Every athlete eventually meets competition that exceeds their current talent. Thrive Gym calls this the "telling moment" where resilience is built through basic reps.

  
  

• Automaticity is the Goal: Consistent repetition of fundamentals (like wall ball in lacrosse or footwork in soccer) creates muscle memory. In high-pressure moments, the body reacts automatically, freeing the brain to focus on strategy rather than mechanics.

  
  

• Mental Freedom: This "Mental Freedom" allows an athlete to keep their "eyes up," identify openings, and make strategic plays because the "mundane" physical work is already on autopilot.

  
  

3. The 24/7 Trainer: Learning as a Lifestyle

True mastery comes from what I call a "Lifestyle Shift." Repetition is not just a 30-minute drill; it is the consistent application of standards in every interaction.

• Every Interaction is a Repetition: You are always training, whether you realize it or not. Every time a dog waits at a door or walks on a loose leash during a casual break, they are "repping" a fundamental skill. Success is built in the "off-hours."

  
  

• Real-World Success vs. Rehearsed Behavior: There is a massive difference between a "rehearsed behavior" (a trick for a treat) and a "balanced state of mind." The goal of 24/7 repetition is to move a skill from a "command" the learner has to follow to a "habit" they want to live by.

The Final Whistle

At the end of the day, whether you’re on the turf, in a training session, or just walking your dog down a quiet street, the message remains the same: The magic is in the mundane. We often hunt for a "secret" tip or a "one weird trick" to solve a problem, but the real secret is simply the willingness to do the boring stuff over and over until it isn't boring anymore—it’s automatic. When you put in the reps during the quiet moments, you give yourself (and your dog) the freedom to be great when the pressure is on. Success isn't a fluke; it's the inevitable result of a thousand small, correct choices made when no one was watching.

Put it into Practice

What is one fundamental skill you can "re-charge" today? True to the 24/7 Trainer mindset, you don't need a training field to get started—you just need a handful of kibble and a few minutes in your living room. Here are three quick drills to sharpen your dog's foundations:

1. The "Re-Charge" (Focus: The Marker)

Stand in a low-distraction environment with your dog. Without asking for a command, use your termination marker (like "Yes!" or a click) and immediately deliver a high-value reward. Repeat this 10–15 times. You are looking for that "lightbulb" moment where your dog hears the sound and their eyes instantly widen in anticipation.

2. The Distraction Test (Focus: Automaticity)

Once your marker is "hot," wait for your dog to be naturally distracted—maybe they are sniffing the floor or looking out the window. Give your marker. If your dog snaps their head toward you for their reward, you’ve achieved automaticity. If they don’t, you know you need more reps in the "Re-Charge" phase.

3. The "Place" Transition (Focus: 24/7 Lifestyle)

Incorporate your marker into a daily habit. As your family sits down for dinner, mark and reward your dog for a calm "Place" or a "Settle." By repeating this daily, you aren't just teaching a trick; you are using the Matching Law to prove to your dog that being calm in the house is the most rewarding choice they can make.

Start your 24/7 training now. Don't wait for the "big" problems to arise—build the foundations today so they are there when you need them tomorrow.