In this episode, we dive into one of coaching’s most persistent debates: Should athletes learn through unopposed drills or through messy, opponent-driven, game-like action?A new paper entitled "The value of opposed and unopposed practice: An ecological dynamics rationale for skill development" argues that if we want athletes to develop skills that actually transfer to competition, we need to rethink traditional ideas about “technique first, game later.” We discuss how movement isn’t something athletes store and then retrieve, rather it emerges from the problems they’re solving in the moment. And because real sport is alive, unpredictable, and constantly changing, training needs to reflect that.However, the paper argues that unopposed practice isn’t useless. But instead of perfecting a single “correct” technique, it is suggested that using isolated work is useful to let athletes explore possibilities, experiment, and build confidence. The magic happens when we add aliveness: opponents, information, timing, space, pressure. That’s where athletes learn to become more skilful. Enjoy!Link to paper: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/00336297.2024.2420759?needAccess=true
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#67 Stuart Armstrong
Stuart Armstrong is a workforce development system builder, learning innovation architect, skill acquisition specialist, and ecological dynamicist, and host of the Talent Equation Podcast. Enjoy!
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#66 Round Up 4
In this episode we discuss an article from The Athletic entitled “What is the CLA? Inside the revolutionary coaching method quietly fuelling the world’s best athletes.”We reflect on the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA) in coaching challenging the notion that it’s a “revolution,” since the foundational work by Carl Newell is nearly 40 years old. The discussion explores:How CLA is rooted in motor learning and ecological dynamics.The contrast between individualistic coaching cultures (like in the U.S.) and collective, environment-centered approaches advocated by CLA.How traditional practices (e.g., rigid playbooks) can hinder athlete development by limiting adaptability and creativity.The importance of coaches framing learning intentions skilfully, shaping environments that invite effective exploration and self-organisation rather than prescribing fixed solutions.Enjoy!Link to the article: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6665943/2025/09/29/sports-training-cla-coaching-wembanyana-ohtani/?source=user_shared_article
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#65 Podcast Summary 4 - Jonny Headrick
Dr Jonathon Headrick is a lecturer and researcher in the field of exercise and sports science. He is also an accredited Exercise (AES) and Sports (ASpS) Scientist recognised by ESSA. Dr Headrick's expertise lies in skill-acqusition and learning design in sport, with applications spanning junior development through to elite level performance contexts. Jonathon's research is founded on theoretical frameworks including Ecological Dynamics and the Constraints-Led Approach to provide principled recommendations and implications for various sport stakeholders. Dr Headrick continues to engage and collaborate with a range of sporting organistaions and partners including the AIS, QAS, Paralympics Australia, Cricket Australia, Swimming Australia, Surfing Australia, and Basketball Queensland to support his impacful research.
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#64 Do we need skill acquisition specialists in sport?
If you're getting value from our podcast check out our Patreon site at patreon.com/TheConstraintsCollective where you can access member only podcasts and monthly meet ups, a range of resources and an online coaching community.In this episode we ask the question 'Do sport organisations need skill acquisition specialists?'. We explore how a skill acquisition specialist (SAS) could help coaches create learning environments that balance structure with adaptability, foster athlete autonomy, improving session design, and managing complexity within team dynamics. We also discuss how constraints shape behaviour, the role of communication in developing decision-making, and the importance of reflection for both coach and player growth. Practical examples are shared that illustrate how small adjustments in task design can lead to big improvements in performance. We conclude with advice for coaches seeking to align their philosophy with daily practice and long-term athlete development. Enjoy!!
Our mission is to transform practice environments in sport by equipping coaches with the knowledge, understanding and skills to bridge the gap between skill acquisition theory and practice.
Ireland