Steve Nash, Safety Training, and the Case for Deliberate Practice 

Deliberate practice is not “more practice.” It’s not about hammering the same checklist. Psychologist K. Anders Ericsson coined the term. It’s in reference to a very specific kind of learning. Goal-oriented, feedback-rich, and focused on pushing outside the learner’s comfort zone. 

Steve Nash used it to rewire his shooting form under fatigue. He practiced free throws with distractions. He trained ambidextrously so that nothing on the court would surprise him. 

Moore saw something similar in the field. Workers who engaged in simulation-style drills performed better under stress. Pressure scenarios, task rehearsals, and skill verification under supervision gave workers the edge. And crucially, they got injured less often. 

Some Canadian companies are moving toward this model. Albertan training provider MI Safety uses hybrid systems. They combine online modules with hands-on skill verification. The courses include employer-signed checklists, bringing feedback and repetition into the process. Others are experimenting with VR. Jennifer Lastra is a Navy veteran turned safety-tech entrepreneur. She runs a company that uses immersive scenarios to train workers. They’re trained not just on what to do, but how it feels to do it under pressure. It’s not theoretical. Lastra’s system targets psychological safety. Split-second decision-making. The intersection of fear, confidence, and training.“We’re not checking boxes,” she says. “We’re changing behavior.”