Explicit and Implicit Learning

Explicit learning is characterised by:

• A large set of rules and knowledge of how to perform a skill
• Conscious processing of these rules by the athlete
• The athlete is able to explain, when questioned, how a skill is performed

Implicit learning is characterised by:

• Subconscious learning of skills
• Lack of verbal instructions
• The athlete is unable to explain, when questioned, how a skill is performed

The methods used in every coaching course I have attended sit heavily in the explicit learning style and on first glance this appears the sensible approach as it provides a methodical approach to teaching and subsequently checking for understanding or learning by the athlete.

Implicit learning is far more difficult to implement as it requires critical and creative thinking to shape the training environment in order to produce the desired movement outcome and makes it hard for the coach to assess how much the athlete has learnt due to the blurring of lines between motor performance and motor learning.

I believe Implicit is important when coaching especially to younger ones so they can advance there skills to the best of their ability’s. Letting them learn by themselves is more fun than instructing them how to do the skill. I find when I’m coaching that I tend lean more towards the explicit way of learning rather than implicit learning approach. An example of me coaching is that; when i coach athletics I tell the kids you should use both arms when running, opposite arm and opposite leg and also keeping nice and tall. In future I am going to start to let the kids do high knees drills for 10m to get them doing the technique of running. Also another approach of implicit learning when coaching is to get an athlete performing hill sprints or jumping backwards prior to a sprint which will naturally put them into an inclined body position suitable for accelerations rather than telling them what to do.

This video gives a good explanation on what I am trying to say about implicit learning compared too explicit learning:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctFmp_TQqkI&t=153

Thanks.