Words can only represent actions, ideas, and experiences. Language is not the action, and at best can only hint at the subtlety and complexity contained in an action.
Of course it is very convenient to think that by giving ourselves correct instructions we will make great tackles or great passes again and again. We want to trust the conceptual process of learning technique instead of learning from experience.
Thinking that it was the obeying of an instruction that produced the great tackle sets us up for disappointment when we give the same instruction yet the same good tackle does not occur.
Since we think the instruction was correct, the conclusion we come to is that not obeying it led to the error. Then we may get angry at ourselves, make disparaging remarks about our ability and call ourselves stupid or use a variety of ways to blame ourselves.
It is as if we would like to think of ourselves more as obedient computers than as human beings.
As a consequence, we lose access to the direct pathway to muscle memory that carries a more complete knowledge of the action.
It has been recently confirmed by the United States Tennis Association Sports Science Department that too many verbal instructions interfere with one’s natural ability. It is also common experience that one verbal instruction given to ten different people will take on ten different meanings. Trying too hard to perform even a single instruction not well understood can introduce an awkwardness or rigidity that inhibits excellence.
