Distinguishing Between Learning and Performance in Sports
Understanding Learning vs. Performance
Let's dive into one of the most fascinating aspects of sports psychology - the difference between learning and performance. While these terms might seem similar at first glance, they're actually quite distinct concepts that every athlete and coach needs to understand.
Learning Defined
Learning refers to the relatively permanent change in a person's capability to perform a skill. It's the internal process that happens in your brain and nervous system when you're developing a new ability.
Learning cannot be directly observed - we can only infer that learning has occurred by observing performance over time.
Performance Defined
Performance is the observable behavior or action when executing a skill at a specific moment. It's what we can actually see and measure during practice or competition.
Think about learning to serve in tennis:
- Learning: The gradual improvement in your understanding and ability to coordinate the serve motion
- Performance: How well you execute the serve during a specific match or practice session
