Develop Adaptable, Problem Solvers
Develop athletes that can " find a movement solution to solve any problem quickly, precisely, rationally, and deftly, particularly when faced with unexpected environmental changes or unforeseen obstacles" (Bernstein's Dexterity)
Build a Challenge Culture for your team
Create an environment of psychological safety where team members practice with intent, relish competing & being challenged in a "practice like the game' setting, accept that failing is an essential part of learning, self-regulate, and keep their eye's on the prize (the outcome not the technique).
Promote Anti-Fragility
Build performers that have multiple, redundant movement solutions for achieving their goal - an ability that has been shown in published research to reduce injury susceptability.
About This Course
The Constraints-Led Approach (CLA) continues to be one of the most popular and evidence-backed coaching methods. This certification course will develop the skill of coaches and instructors in using the CLA including: (i) the initial practice design, (ii) using performance analytics to support design, (iii) scaling constraints to optimize challenge, (iv) adapting the constraint based on performance, (v) guiding self-organization via instructions, feedback and questioning, (vi) progressing constraints and (vii) tracking and measuring progress. The course will cover the theoretical foundations of the CLA and the basic principles. During 1:1 meetings (and associated practical assignments)you will also learn how to apply the CLA in your specific sport/instructional context. This course is designed for (and will adapt to) all levels of experience with the CLA: from individuals wanting to start using the CLA and those who have already experienced some success and want to take it to the next level. Course content will be a mix of self-paced online material (which will vary depending on experience using the CLA), a series of optional group meetings (with recordings to watch later), and 1:1 meetings with Rob (which will focus on your specific sport/learning context). Learners will be encouraged to submit practice videos and plans for feedback. Upon completion of the course, coaches will be considered certified by Perception Action Consulting & Education (PACE) - Rob Gray
Meet Your Coach
Rob Gray is a professor at Arizona State University who has been conducting research on and teaching courses related to perceptual-motor control and learning for over 25 years. He received his MS and Ph.D. from York University in Canada with a focus on the visual control of movement. He has served as an expert consultant/skill acquisition specialist with Nissan Motor Corp, the US Air Force, the Boston Red Sox, the Chicago Cubs, and several other sports teams and organizations (NFL, NBA, EPL, NHL, Olympics). In 2007, he was awarded the Distinguished Scientific Award for Early Career Contribution to Psychology from the American Psychological Association. He is the author of the best-selling books on skill acquisition, How We Learn to Move: A Revolution in the Way We Coach & Practice Sports Skills, Learning to Optimize Movement: Harnessing the Power of the Athlete-Environment Relationship, and Learning to be an “Ecological Coach”: Developing Attuned & Adaptable Coaching Skills. In 2025, his book “How We Learn to Move” was included on the list of the Best Skill Building Books of All Time by Book Authority. Finally, he hosts and produces the popular Perception & Action Podcast. Explore the > 550 episodes at https://perceptionaction.com/
Group meetings and peer assessment will provide multiple opportunities to share experiences, challenges, and learn from the cohort of other coaches and instructors enrolled in the course.
1:1 Meetings with Rob Gray will involve the same type of consulting (detailed analysis, feedback, and suggestions) he has provided to the MLB, NFL, NBA, EPL, NHL, Olympic teams, the military, and police academies,
Become a chef, not just a coach who follows recipes!
Build your coaching plan on a solid theoretical foundation, that is still practical!
Develop an understanding of what needs to be in a practice activity and what can be left out! Taking "representative slices" out of the game allows you to work on specific things that will transfer to improved performance during the game. Learn from a reseacher that has worked in multiple applied settings on how to adapt coaching methods to practical constraints (e.g., space, # of players, workload, time, practicing on game day, organizational demands for metrics and measureables)