Is there a difference between practice and training? Absolutely! Consider the definitions of each term.
Practice is the act of rehearsing a behavior over and over, or engaging in an activity again and again, for the purpose of improving or mastering it, as in the phrase "practice makes perfect". Sports teams practice to prepare for actual games. Playing a musical instrument well takes a lot of practice. It is a method of learning and of acquiring experience.
Training is the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and competencies as a result of the teaching of vocational or practical skills and knowledge that relate to specific useful competencies. Training has specific goals of improving one's capability, capacity, productivity and performance.
Businesses invest time to learn new processes / skills through training. Sports teams do the same. The big difference is in practicing. Sports teams invest time to practice or rehearse so that they can execute during a game. Unfortunately, businesses rarely practice but utilize OJT and correct mistakes as they go. A business that wants to be more successful will invest the time for employees to practice!
© 2013 Jim Lindell - Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc.
Note: the sources of definitions for practice and training were: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Practice and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Training respectively.