Skill Adaptation > Skill Acquisition

Send us Fan Mail *Checkout the free practice guide at the end of the show notes! For decades, coaches and scientists have used the term skill acquisition — but what if that’s not what’s really happening? In this short episode, we dive into the idea that athletes don’t acquire skill — they adapt it. Inspired by our recent conversation with Duarte Araújo, this concept challenges the traditional view of skill as something stored or possessed, and instead reframes it as a continuous process shaped by the relationship between athlete and environment. We explore how this shift impacts coaching, learning, and even rehabilitation — from how an athlete adapts after injury, to how their movement evolves over time. Have any questions form the Episode? Hit me up on social @thecoachjav or send me an email at Javier@emergentmvmt.com Download your Free Practice Design Checklist! Episode Resources Episode 113 w/ Duarte Download the Academic Papers from Duarte What Exactly Is Acquired During Skill Acquisition by Duarte Araújo & Keith Davids Emergence Website Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat! Twitter: @thecoachjav IG: @thecoachjav