
The Perception & Action Podcast
Exploration of how psychological research can be applied to improving performance, accelerating skill acquisition and designing new technologies in sports and other high performance domains. Hosted by Rob Gray, professor of Human Systems Engineering at Arizona State University, the podcast will review basic concepts and discuss the latest research in these areas.
Latest episodes

24 snips
Apr 16, 2024 • 26min
488- The Constraints-Led Approach (CLA) 2024
Delving into the Constraints-Led Approach, the podcast discusses promoting self-organization in athletes, improving pitching mechanics with a connection ball, enhancing sports training through constraints like occlusion glasses, and focusing on holistic skill development with the CLA.

Apr 9, 2024 • 15min
487 – Do the classic motor learning effects (eg focus of attention, choice) apply to experts?
Exploring if motor learning principles apply to expert athletes, study focuses on effects of focus of attention and self-controlled practice on free throw accuracy in basketball. Results show benefits of external and holistic attention conditions, supporting autonomy and optimized performance through individualized training choices.

Apr 2, 2024 • 12min
486 – Functional Variability in the Cricket Bowling Delivery
Explore how cricket bowlers use movement variability to control delivery timing and speed, challenging traditional beliefs on repeatable actions in sports. Understand the importance of functional variability in maintaining consistency and performance outcomes in the cricket bowling delivery.

Mar 19, 2024 • 9min
485 – Coach Education Workshops, My New Book Coming Soon
A look at research (and some of my personal experiences) on the effectiveness of co-created coach education workshops to bridge the gap between current coaching practices and scientific evidence. A little bit about my new book – coming in 6 months! Articles/Links:Using a coproduced educational workshop to change the focus of verbal instructions delivered by professional youth soccer coaches: a case study Bridging the Gap Between Science and Application: The Use of Cocreation Educational Workshops in Professional Youth Soccer New book preorder: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CW1GBF61 More information: http://perceptionaction.com/ My Research Gate Page (pdfs of my articles) My ASU Web page Podcast Facebook page (videos, pics, etc) Subscribe in iOS/Apple Subscribe in Anroid/Google Support the podcast and receive bonus content Credits: The Flamin' Groovies – Shake\Some Action Mark Lanegan - Saint Louis Elegy

Mar 12, 2024 • 11min
484 – On the Value of a Skill Acquisition Specialist
Exploring the hiring of skill acquisition specialists for sports teams, flexibility and multidimensionality in skill acquisition, and the role of specialists in training and team consistency. Insights from a specialist working with the Boston Red Sox

4 snips
Mar 5, 2024 • 22min
483 – The Effects of the Yips on Muscle Synergies in Throwing
Exploring how the Yips affect muscle synergies in throwing, examining coordination differences in affected players. Understanding muscle synergies in achieving consistency in throwing. Delving into disruptions in muscle coordination in baseball players with Yips-like symptoms during pitching motion. Highlighting the impact of external pressures on muscle synergies in throwing, emphasizing the importance of self-organization for optimal movement coordination.

Feb 27, 2024 • 13min
482 – The Coaching Eye – How Reliably can Expert Coaches Observe Movement?
Expert coaches' ability to judge sporting actions like tennis serves is explored, considering factors like viewing angle, age, and gender. The challenges of observing movement in coaching, the reliability of expert coaches in evaluating tennis serve mechanics, and the importance of diverse observation angles are discussed. The role of expert coaches in assessing movement quality and key information in movement analysis, including the focus on shoulder internal rotation speed, is emphasized.

7 snips
Feb 20, 2024 • 20min
481 – Why are Some Affordances More Inviting than Others?
Delving into why some affordances are more inviting than others, exploring how coaches can influence these invitations. Discussing the impact of perceived effort on decision-making, the experiential aspect of affordances, and coaching strategies for athletes to enhance their perception of affordances.

8 snips
Feb 6, 2024 • 47min
480 – Ecological Approach to Rowing
Topics include movement variability in rowing technique, struggles with technique instructions, the constraint-led approach in rowing, approaches to movement training and feedback, benefits of an ecological approach in rowing, and honoring individual styles and variation in rowing.

Jan 30, 2024 • 9min
479 – A CLA to Coaching Cricket Bowling: Task Manipulations
A study examines task constraint manipulations to improve accuracy and discipline in cricket bowling. Targets are effective for improving accuracy but not discipline. Task manipulations like clear goals, constraints, and feedback can enhance performance in cricket bowling training environments.