In this episode of the By Any Means Coaches Podcast, Tyler and Coleman sit down with Dr. Job Fransen—skill acquisition researcher, professor at Charles Sturt University, and former consultant to the Oklahoma City Thunder—to unpack what skill actually is and how coaches can better design environments that develop adaptable players. Job draws a powerful distinction between technique and skill, reframing skill as adaptability within context rather than mechanical perfection. From perception-action coupling to the limits of “memory bank” thinking, this conversation challenges traditional motor learning narratives and encourages coaches to rethink how players truly self-organize under pressure.We also dive deep into the confidence–competence continuum and why intentional practice design matters more than specific drills. Job explains how drilling can boost short-term confidence while variable, high-error environments build long-term learning—and why elite coaches must learn to surf that continuum in real time. The conversation expands into group dynamics, team learning vs. individual development, practice quality, sparring partners, feedback culture, and why decontextualized “brain training” methods often fail to transfer to the game. This episode is a masterclass in blending research with real-world coaching intuition.00:00 Introduction and background 07:20 Defining skill vs. technique 09:46 Motor programs vs. perception-action coupling 14:19 The confidence–competence continuum explained 17:22 Drilling vs. learning-focused practice 21:02 Designing practice across a season 22:32 “Hinging points” and dynamic coaching 26:39 The role of intuition in coaching and learning 31:43 Being a “fly on the wall” in elite organizations 36:27 What coaches should avoid (decontextualized training) 40:14 Group training and upskilling the lowest-level player 46:59 Organizational culture and collective development 54:04 Trends in high-performing organizations 58:49 Individual development vs. team learning 01:02:27 The “superstar highway” paradox in team performance 01:05:14 Ecological dynamics and group research gaps 01:12:10 Where research has changed Job’s mindBAM Coaches Platform: https://byanymeanscoaches.com/ BAM Books: https://byanymeanscoaches.com/blueprint-bookLearn more from Dr. Job Fransen:skillacq.comhttps://www.skillacq.com/[email protected] scholar page: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=JCXMOrgAAAAJ&hl=nlSchool email: [email protected] you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another coach who’s serious about building adaptable, game-ready players. We’ll see you in the next one.

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