mostly everything is pretty obvious in practice time as for what it improves

however, which categories focus on things like shot-blocking, speed, athleticism, and defense?

Speed, athleticism, stamina, and durability all improve from practicing conditioning.  Defense and shot-blocking are lumped together in footwork.

Posted by dahsdebater on 4/1/2011 4:57:00 PM (view original):
Speed, athleticism, stamina, and durability all improve from practicing conditioning.  Defense and shot-blocking are lumped together in footwork.

One addition - I think conditioning also helps shot-blocking.

Posted by bhansalid00 on 4/1/2011 5:23:00 PM (view original):

Posted by dahsdebater on 4/1/2011 4:57:00 PM (view original):
Speed, athleticism, stamina, and durability all improve from practicing conditioning.  Defense and shot-blocking are lumped together in footwork.

One addition - I think conditioning also helps shot-blocking.

I'm 99.999% sure this isn't true...  I know it says that in the FAQ.  It also says footwork improves low post.  I've never seen any actual evidence of either of those things happening and haven't heard any of the more experienced coaches seeing them either.  I think that bit of FAQ is either outdated or was always patently untrue.

Practicing footwork used to improve LP when LP meant playing with back to the basket. I haven't seen or heard of any changes to this but I suspect it no longer has an influence on LP. However, I believe footwork does have an influence on SB. Some of the AC skill cap e-mails indicate that it does anyway.

I just wish they would pry defense loose from being lumped together with shotblocking, so that my guards don't have to practice shotblocking in order to practice defense.