Nonlinear Pedagogy is a powerful paradigm for understanding human
movement and for designing effective teaching, coaching and training
programmes in sport, exercise and physical education (PE). It addresses
the inherent complexity in learning movement skills, viewing the
learner, the learning environment and the teacher or coach as a complex
interacting system. The constraints of individual practice tasks provide
the platform for functional movement behaviours to emerge during
practice and performance.
The second edition includes new materials, of practical, theoretical and
empirical relevance, to enhance understanding of how to implement a
Nonlinear Pedagogy to support learning in sport, PE and physical
activity. There is updated, in-depth discussion on the various
pedagogical principles that support Nonlinear Pedagogy and how these
principles are applicable in learning designs in sports and physical
education. There is further emphasis on examining how transfer of
learning is implicated in practice, highlighting its relevance on skill
adaptation and talent development.
The first part of the book updates the general theoretical framework to
explain processes of skill acquisition and motor learning. This edition
draws clearer links between skill acquisition, expertise and talent
development, focusing on how specificity and generality of transfer have
a role to play in the development of learners.
The book defines Nonlinear Pedagogy and outlines its key principles of
practice. It offers a thorough and critical appraisal of the functional
use of instructional constraints and practice design. It discusses
methods for creating challenging and supportive individualised learning
environments at developmental, sub-elite and elite levels of
performance. The second part focuses on the application of Nonlinear
Pedagogy in sports and PE. There is a greater emphasis on helping
applied scientists and practitioners understand the impact of Nonlinear
Pedagogy on transfer of learning. Every chapter is updated to provide
relevant contemporary cases and examples from sport and exercise
contexts, providing guidance on practice activities and lessons.
Nonlinear Pedagogy in Skill Acquisition is an essential companion for
any degree-level course in skill acquisition, motor learning, sport
science, sport pedagogy, sports coaching practice, or pedagogy or
curriculum design in physical education.
