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In this "Ask Emergence" episode, Coach Jav answers three questions from coaches about skill acquisition, constraints, and practice design.

The conversation starts with a foundational question: What is skill?

Too often skill is viewed as repetition or the ability to reproduce the same movement over and over. But in sport, athletes must adapt to constantly changing problems. Coach Jav shares his current definition of skill and why adaptability is central to performance.

The episode then explores how coaches can use constraints to shape movement and guide athletes toward effective solutions without prescribing every action.

Finally, Coach Jav discusses how to think about complexity in training environments, why he prefers that term over “chaos,” and how coaches can scale the level of complexity to better prepare athletes for competition.

Listeners of the podcast can receive 10% off the upcoming Sport Movement Skill Conference (June 5–6 in St. Paul, Minnesota) using the code Javi26 when registering.

In This Episode

• A modern definition of skill and why repetition alone is not enough
• How constraints guide movement and decision making in sport
• How to scale complexity in training environments to better prepare athletes for competition

Episode Resources

• Sport Movement Skill Conference
• Emergence Website
• Check out The Modern Coach’s Planner
• SMSC preview episode with Sean Myszka
• The Adaptable Athlete Podcast
• Check out the pod on YouTube

Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io

Let's Chat!
Twitter: @thecoachjav
IG: @thecoachjav

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Coach Jav sits down with Steve Whalen to explore his journey into coaching, his shift toward ecological dynamics, and what it means to truly design learning environments that transfer to competition.

Steve shares how he entered tennis coaching from a non-traditional background, the tensions he experienced within traditional coach education, and the turning points that led him toward a constraints-led approach. The conversation unpacks why players who look sharp in practice often struggle in matches, how coaches can better understand learning and performance, and what it takes to bridge the gap between research and real-world coaching.

They also discuss Steve’s work mentoring coaches globally, his upcoming research in ecological dynamics, and the broader direction of modern coach education.

The upcoming Sport Movement Skill Conference (June 5–6) is also discussed you can learn more and register here

If you’re looking for a practical starting point for designing more effective sessions, download the Modern Coach’s Practice Checklist and check out thecoachjav.com for more resources!

Episode Resources

• Steve's website
• Steve on Instagram
• 2026 Sport Movement Skill Conference (SMSC)
• Modern Coach’s Practice Checklist - Free coaching guide
• The Adaptable Athlete Podcast
• Emergence

Support & Contact
If you enjoyed today’s episode, leave a review and share it with another coach or athlete who’d appreciate it.

You can reach Coach Jav on social media at @thecoachjav
or by email at javier@emergentmvmt.com

Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io

Let's Chat!
Twitter: @thecoachjav
IG: @thecoachjav

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Coach Jav sits down with Emergence co-founder Shawn Myszka to preview the 2026 Sport Movement Skill Conference (SMSC). They unpack this year’s theme — “Challenge Point” — and explain why the conference will feature debate-style matchups between leading voices from differing theoretical foundations.

The conversation explores why now is the right time to bring contrasting coaching philosophies back to the table, how intellectual sparring can sharpen clarity, and what attendees can expect from both the debates and hands-on practical sessions.

From matchups like Shawn Myszka vs. Tony Villani , Tyler Yearby vs. Jeff Moyer and Jav vs. Tony Holler, to practical sessions spanning MMA, baseball, team sport environments, and Olympic preparation, this year’s SMSC aims to challenge assumptions while fostering connection.

The 9th Annual Sport Movement Skill Conference takes place June 5–6 in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Don’t forget: The Modern Coach's Planner is now back in stock!! Get it here

Resources

• Sport Movement Skill Conference 2026
• Certified Skill Acquisition Specialist (CSAS) Information
• Podcast Website
• Ep. 110 with Shawn
  
  

Support & Contact
If you enjoyed today’s episode, leave a review and share it with another coach or athlete who’d appreciate it.

You can reach Coach Jav on social media at @thecoachjav
or by email at javier@emergentmvmt.com

Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io

Let's Chat!
Twitter: @thecoachjav
IG: @thecoachjav