Comments on: The Learner’s Dictionary

By: eric

eric — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 17:20:51 +0000

I as a coach feel like I am “massaging” the message. Getting feedback from my players about how they are feeling the ball (tennis) and massaging that into something they can call on to repeat.

By: djcoyle

djcoyle — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:36:54 +0000

I like that a lot, Dale — good one! Captures the feel and the speed — not to mention the way it creates a soil for good things to grow.

By: Dale Kirby

Dale Kirby — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 01:52:08 +0000

Inchworming. When it’s hard to get a entry point into some new skill or body of info, I allow myself to just inch into it, to be as stupid and obvious as I need to be. To restate the obvious when necessary. Take something that seems simple and look at it from every aspect. I guess it’s similar to Legoing.

By: Dale Kirby

Dale Kirby — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:49:00 +0000

This essay speaks to this default idea in another context.

The Top Idea in Your Mind
http://www.paulgraham.com/top.html

By: Steveastlegolf

Steveastlegolf — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 08:05:51 +0000

Certainly the earlier off the shelf they are the easier the task and therefore the setting can be changed in several weeks to a couple of months. The older the student and dependant on previous exposure to the skill, the settings can take years to become default. I find the toughest part then becomes commitment to the process of rewiring versus the results. When students aren’t fully immersed in the process and the long term rewiring then the default button is often pressed under times of pressure or desperation for short term success.

By: djcoyle

djcoyle — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 02:56:57 +0000

I like that. We all have our default settings — not just in golf, either.

And like any default, it’s hard-wired. How long does it typically take to develop a new default setting in one of your students?

By: steveastlegolf

steveastlegolf — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 21:59:42 +0000

Nice article Dan, I love using the term “Default Setting” to describe a client that switches off from all swing thoughts to see what appears under pressure. I see my longterm role to help them alter that default setting through deep practice.

By: Dale Kirby

Dale Kirby — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:38:22 +0000

You’re right. The exercise is less painful and more interesting that way. Especially if you use the Journey Method for the initial memorization. You go on a little “walk” in your imagination as you work out. You can also post a numbered list of the things you’re learning to read off as counting.

Memory champions are a set of “athletes” that use all the principles of deliberate practice for their skill development.

By: djcoyle

djcoyle — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 19:47:13 +0000

Pi and stomach crunches X 1,000 — wow. I think you’ve invented a new kind of biathlon.

Great suggestion — it’s a simple way to double-dip your practicing. Plus you get a third benefit: the act of counting provides you a welcome distraction from the pain of the crunches.

By: Dale Kirby

Dale Kirby — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:42:21 +0000

I like what one of your commenters said about “Practice Practising”

I might suggest “Counting with Data”. To really embed something in my brain I break it down so I can count my physical exercise movements with the data I want to remember. For instance, I count my stomach crunches with the first 1000 digits of Pi or words of the Tao te Ching.