How we learn to move: a revolution in the way we coach & practice sports skills

Abstract

“How we learn to move: A revolution in the way we coach & practice sports skills” is the first single-authored book from Rob Gray, associate professor at Arizona State University. Gray is perhaps most widely known to the sports community for his Perception and Action Podcast, where this book’s core topics are discussed on a regular basis. The book may be classified as a popular science book which should have the ability to reach a broad audience. It covers ideas and topics that are essential and often (heatedly) debated in sports communities, especially ideas from information processing approaches on the one hand and ecological approaches to perception and skill acquisition on the other. The book is packed with research examples, most of them very recent, while also building on classical theoretical works (e.g., by Nikolai Bernstein and J. J. Gibson). This synthesis of theoretical foundations and empirical evidence should make it appealing for academic audiences, especially those looking for a brief ecological introduction to motor learning and performance. Gray’s communication skills and many clear examples make the book readable for coaches and practitioners as well.