Comments on: Struggle–the right kind– Can Be Good. http://www.swimwellblog.com/archives/603 The Blog of Terry Laughlin Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:48:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Doug Alt http://www.swimwellblog.com/archives/603/comment-page-1#comment-2016 Doug Alt Tue, 27 Jul 2010 04:50:34 +0000 http://www.swimwellblog.com/?p=603#comment-2016 Terry, Yes, there is a difference between trying to learn a brand new skill or sensation and "honing" one that much of the work has already been accomplished on. In your book, "Total Immersion", your philosophy of short attempts at NEW skills was very clear when you repeatedly encouraged 1 pool-length attempts of a particular drill, followed by some THOUGHT while paused at the end of the lane, followed by an attempt at concentrating on a DIFFERENT ASPECT of the drill for the next length. Much learning and little boredom occur with this approach! Terry,
Yes, there is a difference between trying to learn a brand new skill or sensation and “honing” one that much of the work has already been accomplished on.
In your book, “Total Immersion”, your philosophy of short attempts at NEW skills was very clear when you repeatedly encouraged 1 pool-length attempts of a particular drill, followed by some THOUGHT while paused at the end of the lane, followed by an attempt at concentrating on a DIFFERENT ASPECT of the drill for the next length.
Much learning and little boredom occur with this approach!

]]> By: Terry Laughlin http://www.swimwellblog.com/archives/603/comment-page-1#comment-2012 Terry Laughlin Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:47:01 +0000 http://www.swimwellblog.com/?p=603#comment-2012 Doug Well said. This is not to suggest that 10, 15 or 20 repetitions of a task aren't worthwhile. When I do a larger number of reps, it's usually because I feel I've begun to lay down a good circuit and am repeating the circuit in order to hone and deepen it. This intention keeps me keenly focused throughout. And indeed, on each, I'm striving to execute as well or better than the best sensation I've had previously. Doug
Well said. This is not to suggest that 10, 15 or 20 repetitions of a task aren’t worthwhile. When I do a larger number of reps, it’s usually because I feel I’ve begun to lay down a good circuit and am repeating the circuit in order to hone and deepen it. This intention keeps me keenly focused throughout. And indeed, on each, I’m striving to execute as well or better than the best sensation I’ve had previously.

]]> By: Doug Alt http://www.swimwellblog.com/archives/603/comment-page-1#comment-2006 Doug Alt Sun, 25 Jul 2010 22:07:36 +0000 http://www.swimwellblog.com/?p=603#comment-2006 Terry, The concept of three tries, ONLY, at any particular skill, or portion thereof, is a powerful one. Our brains do not just evaluate our learning attempts at the moment that a particular attempt is executed; it processes these experiences repeatedly during the next day or so. For example, I worked on the feeling of following my hand "through the hole" in the water earlier today. Now, several hours later, I have been consciously thinking about what worked and what didn't. Subconsciously, as during sleeping and dreaming states, my brain will no doubt continue it's review process, possibly even more intensely than during my conscious ruminations. When there have been just three skill attempts, the sub-conscious brain can remember that I tried something first, then made a correction, and then, based on the results of that, made another correction. Then, there can be an "Ah Ha!" moment in which it becomes clear that either attempt #2 or attempt #3 produced the most desirable results, thus providing a residual image of what it is I am going to attempt on my first try tomorrow. However, if there are 15, 20, 30 attempts at a skill, neither the conscious brain nor the sub-conscious one can, even a very short time later, sort through the experiences with any accuracy... "Let's see, what exactly was it that I tried on attempt #12? Hmmm.... What exactly was the result when I extended my stroke farther down to the side of my thigh during attempts near the end of the session? It's all such a blur..." Terry,

The concept of three tries, ONLY, at any particular skill, or portion thereof, is a powerful one.

Our brains do not just evaluate our learning attempts at the moment that a particular attempt is executed; it processes these experiences repeatedly during the next day or so.

For example, I worked on the feeling of following my hand “through the hole” in the water earlier today. Now, several hours later, I have been consciously thinking about what worked and what didn’t.

Subconsciously, as during sleeping and dreaming states, my brain will no doubt continue it’s review process, possibly even more intensely than during my conscious ruminations.

When there have been just three skill attempts, the sub-conscious brain can remember that I tried something first, then made a correction, and then, based on the results of that, made another correction. Then, there can be an “Ah Ha!” moment in which it becomes clear that either attempt #2 or attempt #3 produced the most desirable results, thus providing a residual image of what it is I am going to attempt on my first try tomorrow.

However, if there are 15, 20, 30 attempts at a skill, neither the conscious brain nor the sub-conscious one can, even a very short time later, sort through the experiences with any accuracy… “Let’s see, what exactly was it that I tried on attempt #12? Hmmm…. What exactly was the result when I extended my stroke farther down to the side of my thigh during attempts near the end of the session? It’s all such a blur…”

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