How Perception Educates Itself: The Science of Direct Learning (Ecological Dynamics)

Almost every single argument against the ecological approach originates from a place of not understanding what it is. Even among coaches who utilize it, much of the foundational science that underlies why and how we should utilize the CLA and other methods for motor learning from an ecological dynamics perspective remains opaque. In this video, I'll explain some foundational science behind what direct perception really is, and how perceptual learning works in an embodied context. Discover the revolutionary science behind how we actually learn skills in this deep dive into David Jacobs and Claire Michaels' groundbreaking paper on direct learning. Unlike traditional learning theories that focus on mental representations or prescriptive instruction, this video reveals how our perception could naturally educate itself through direct interaction with our environment. You'll understand: Why we don't need complex mental calculations to catch balls or learn new movements How the environment itself teaches us through information-rich feedback Why traditional coaching methods often fail (and what works better) The powerful concept of "attunement" and how it drives skill acquisition The 3 things that make up what skill really is in the ecological approach (hint: definitely not moves). Practical examples of constraint-based learning that you can apply immediately Perfect for coaches, athletes, martial artists, movement practitioners, teachers, and anyone fascinated by how humans develop skills. This video will transform your understanding of learning and provide actionable insights to accelerate skill development. Join me as we explore the science behind why "you can't learn to swim if you don't want to get wet" and discover how to create learning environments that naturally guide students toward mastery.