Why is it so difficult to break a bad habit? Why is it so difficult to learn a new skill after some years of playing? Why do players get “stuck” on certain patterns, and play them over and over again even when they would like to play something new? The answer is something I call “automatic learning,” which simply means that any physical action that is performed over and over will become “automatic” or an ingrained “reflex.” The best example is probably driving a car. When you begin to learn to drive a car, there are many skills to acquire: First, there is the problem of coordinating your hands and feet in order to effectively operate the steering wheel, brakes, accelerator, and possibly, a clutch and gearshift. You may step on the brakes too hard in order to stop the car, or oversteer when turning. You may have trouble judging […]

March 1985 Issue