Mistakes are often (improperly) recognized as failures. And while many times people look for what they can learn from a mistake, often they do not take the time to really consider the potential benefits of the mistake. Let me give you an example. A quarterback is under pressure and decides to quickly throw the ball to where he expects his receiver to be and chooses this by where he expects the defense to be. Three outcomes can occur, a completed pass, an interception, or an incomplete pass. In all three situations there can be a positive learning experience (despite the fact that two outcomes are negative). When I say learning experience I am essentially saying that the individual is getting better. Improvement comes from learning; learning what went wrong and what went right.
Going back to my example, the question is how does learning occur by mistake? (read: learn accidentally.) Obviously there can be overt learning where the coach shows the quarterback film or creates practice situations that mimic the same scenario but when this type of learning doesn’t occur then how does one improve or better yet, what separates the good from the great? I believe its the ability to be conditioned by understanding the reward/punishment of the outcome instantly. The faster this is recognized and processed, the faster the individual learns (or improves).
While studying is an important piece of learning (both in sport and academics) individuals actually remember better if they make mistakes on a “test” (i.e., competition). Subsequent performances may show better performance when faced with similar situations. Essentially, trying and failing (making mistakes) speeds up the learning process over simply studying alone.
This concept has been well researched in an educational setting but not well researched with sports. Thinking about your own training and practice. How do you learn the best and fastest? I am willing to bet for most people it is by trying, making a mistake, and then trying again.
Tags: experience, improving, learning, mistakes, practice
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