Implicit Motor Learning: Designing Practice for Performance
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52383/itfcoaching.v21i60.448Keywords:
Implicit learning, Skill acquisition, Talent development, TennisAbstract
The purpose of this paper is to review the concept of implicit motor learning in sport and to discuss the practical application of current techniques designed to induce implicit learning within tennis. Implicit learning refers to the acquisition of information without conscious awareness of what is being learnt. Research shows that skills acquired implicitly sometimes have advantages over skills learnt via explicit methods. Whilst some practice techniques that have been used in a laboratory setting to cause implicit learning may be impractical for coaches to adopt, there are several methods that coaches can (and should) consider using. These include the reduction of errors during practice, the provision of analogies as instructions, the concept of ‘marginal perception’ and the use of indirect instructional techniques.
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Copyright (c) 2013 Tim Buszard, Machar Reid, Damian Farrow, Rich Masters
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