The Distal Method: from psychomotor education to motor expertise

Abstract

A unifying theoretical model for motor expertise attainment is presented. Based on an extensive theoretical background, several practical applications are discussed, examples are given, and guidelines are proposed. The main tenets of this approach, called “The Distal Method” is that motor expertise development should be based on i. processes that impact the future and not (necessarily) the present, ii. motor skills and cognitive skills are coupled iii. emotions are the substrate for any development to take place. The basic tools of such an approach will be presented here, which could act both as a guide and a model – or even a paradigm – for successfully developing and refining psychomotor skills from early on.