Dreyfus Model of Skill Acquisition- Basis for Action

I model your training based on your ability and current skill level in particular areas of your game.

• Novice
• Beginner
• Competent
• Proficient  Expert

Novice Performance-Rule Governed 

The novice had little or no experience in this context. Novice performance is dangerous. Confused, unsure what to pay attention to. So busy concentrating on the rules often cannot talk or listen well.  Need generalised rules and structures as a guide. Quality management systems and job descriptions can be very helpful. If something goes wrong, blame the system or senior people.  The novice accepts little personal responsibility in this context.

As a novice your need more rule governed behaviour.   As the athlete gets better skilled they need fewer rules and more skills.

Competent Performance -Organised & Analytical 

They are usually comfortable and relaxed in their surroundings. Usually two to three years experience.  Come to work with conscious goals and clear plans.  If something goes wrong, can analyse situation and make new plans. They are efficient and organised and can assess relative importance and urgency.  Can readily describe and explain actions.  Feel personal responsibility for outcomes.

Expert Performance-Right Thing at the Right Time

Usually five to seven years. They are highly intuitive, based on huge store of personal knowledge and experience. They have a great capacity to handle the unexpected.   They are very context specific. Often there are no words to describe expert performance, and often it is subconscious anyway. Performance drops if generalised rules are imposed.

Important to remember

Players may be an expert at a particular thing but a novice at others, therefore a good player could have poor time management skills thus requiring more rules to improve their skill.

No one needs to be an expert at everything.  Skills are contextual.   A skills audit should be applied to self and staff.    Don’t waste your time doing something you can already do.

Source Glenn Stewart