Episode Archives

Thoughts on the Astros’ Sign Stealing Scandal: How Knowing What’s Coming Alters Batting Performance

A few people have asked me whether I have any thoughts about how knowing what pitch is coming (e., in the Astros cheating scandal) changes batting. Not only do I have thoughts – I have data! For those not in the know, the Houston Astros were recently severely punished after they were caught stealing signs….

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169 – Going Blind: Are there Benefits to Training without Vision?

169 Does training blind under non-vision conditions result in improved performance when the athlete returns to full vision conditions? Does it allow a performer to become more sensitive to information from other senses (e.g. proprioception and audition) or is learning specific to the conditions of practice? Download link Articles: Improved Muscle Activity Following Motor Training…

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168 – Periodization of Skill Acquisition

168 How might we periodize skill acquisition in a manner similar to physical training – taking into account factors like specificity, load, progression and reversibility? A look at the skill acquisition periodization and periodization of skill training frameworks.Download link Articles: Development of a skill acquisition periodisation framework for high-performance sportSkill Training Periodization in “Specialist” Sports…

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167 – New Research on Generalized Perceptual-Cognitive Training

167 A look at some recent studies investigating generalized, perceptual-cognitive training for sport. Is there any evidence that training perception and cognition out of context will result in transfer to improved performance on the sports field?Download link Articles: The Effectiveness of Different Visual Skills Training Programmes on Elite Cricket PlayersPerceptual vision training in nonsport- specific…

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166 – Exploratory Search for Information, Affordances & Action Selection

166 How do we use information from our environment to select between different opportunities for action (i.e. affordances)? How do we pickup this information? A look at exploratory head movements in teams sports and the affordance competition hypothesis. Download link Articles: Don’t Turn Blind! The Relationship Between Exploration Before Ball Possession and On-Ball Performance in…

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165 – Adaptive Training to Enhance Motor Learning

165 A look at a few different ways to adapt training to promote motor learning. A look at learner-controlled practice schedules, the win move/lose stay method, and adaptive, algorithm based schedules.Download link Articles: Performance-Based Adaptive Schedules Enhance Motor LearningTransfer of Training from Virtual to Real Baseball BattingWin-shift, lose-stay: contingent switching and contextual interference in motor…

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164 – Constraining Vision to Educate Attention & Promote Skill Acquisition

164 Comparing and contrasting some different methods for using visual constraints during practice, including stroboscopic training, spatial and temporal occlusion. What transfers to competition?Download link Articles: Effects of Visual Control Training on the Shooting Performance of Elite Female Basketball PlayersThe impact of a training intervention with spatial occlusion goggles on controlling and passing a footballThe…

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163 – The Constraints-Led Approach to Coaching IV: Why do we “Constrain”?

163 Part 4 in my series on the CLA. What is the purpose of adding constraints in the constraints led approach to coaching? How does this differ from what has been done in the past?  What are the different ways constraint manipulations can be used? How do constraints influence movement?Download link Me on the Talent…

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162 – Differential Learning II: Contextual Interference vs Stochastic Resonance

162 Revisiting the theory of differential learning. How does it differ from contextual interference? How much structure should we use when varying conditions in practice? What is stochastic resonance?Download link Articles:On the optimal degree of fluctuations in practice for motor learningInvited commentary: Differential learning is different from contextual interference learningDifferential Learning as a Key Training…

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161 – Practicing with a Partner: Matched or Mismatched

161 Are there benefits to doing interleaved practice with partner? Is it better if you work on the same or different skills?Download link Articles:Manipulations to practice organization of golf putting skills through interleaved matched or mismatched practice with a partner More information:Subscribe in iOS/AppleSubscribe in Android/GoogleMy Research Gate Page (pdfs of my articles)My ASU Web…

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