Table of Contents
This is the beginning
Learning Characteristics
Punishment
Enhanced Abilities and Talents
Individual differences
Three things that interfere with performance
In conclusion
Introducing
Glory Road tells the story of an interracial college team of basketball players from the 1960s. The movie features a young coach who moves to a new place to become the head coach of a small Division 1 university. Motor learning is illustrated in many different ways throughout the film, including how punishment and advanced skill characteristics affect performance, differences between individuals, and what they do not.
Learning characteristics Don Haskins, Don’s coach, offered his team many learning opportunities. Don meets a future player while on a recruitment trip. Don manages to stop the young player while they play one-on-1. Don then shows the student how to rocker step. The student was trying to learn a new skill. As his performance was inconsistent and unpredictable, this athlete could be said to be in the cognitive learning stage. Although the continued stages of learning are not shown in practices in the film, the athlete later uses the skill while in competition, suggesting that he had since mastered the new technique placing him in the autonomous stage.PunishmentPunishment played a huge role in the film and there were numerous examples of how Coach Haskins used this aspect of motor learning to help his team grow. One of the most infamous instances of punishment was when players were caught violating team rules. They had gone out on night trips to enjoy some fun in the city, and were taking part in activities that they shouldn’t have. Trust is an essential component of any team sports, so Coach Don Haskins felt the need to punish his players. He didn’t only punish the perpetrators. Everyone was responsible. To begin the practice, everyone ran sprints. The first impression is that observers may be drawn to Coach Haskins’ inequalities. However, this punishment is a reminder that they are one team and all their actions affect each other. It helped the team grow closer in friendship and camaraderie. Game-like punishment is the best. While a game-like punishment might have been appropriate in this situation, speed and agility are desirable qualities in basketball. Wind sprints helped prepare the team for winning. This was especially evident during the game against Coach Rupp, who had a Kentucky team with experience. Coach Haskins sat down with 7 players during the whole game. These players were certainly exhausted by game’s end, but their endurance was rewarded partly by Coach Haskins’s harsh punishment. This punishment was a great example because it helped the team reach their goal.
High Skill Characteristics The Texas Western Miners had many attributes that were indicative of high skill. This included their internal motivation. Coach had told one player that he was being fired before the season started. Shed was shocked. He exclaimed that he wouldn’t be able look at his dad again. Coach told him that he didn’t know and that he wasn’t entitled to stay. Shed decided she would go back to gym for one more time to have a good time. He began to pretend to be a winner and was able to realize that he could stay and still play. The night was a turning point in his motivation to continue playing. He demanded Don Haskins allow him to play the next day at practice. He was determined and very motivated to play basketball so Coach let him stay. They were also very adaptable and showed great motivation. They had to deal with negative comments from opposing fans as they played in various venues. Each team had its strengths and flaws, so each match was unique. The team’s ability to adapt and win against all odds was a key reason for their success.
Individual Differences Many South residents were still very racist at the time. Although the Miners suffered a lot from persecution, they were able to overcome a lot. Texas Western boosters and school administrators were not pleased with Coach Haskins’s decision to bring in so much color. They questioned Coach Haskins’ methods when he brought in three black players. The administration was only a problem as they advanced through the season. The team performed well together and the players became more open to seeing beyond the color of their teammates. Some communities were more accepting than other on the road. One arena saw fans shout, spit and throw food at players who were coming out of a tunnel onto the court. The team would have found this terrifying. They persevered and became stronger. One incident saw some members of the community beating up a black player in a public bathroom. This left him with bruises and blood. Many also believed that black players were less intelligent and more able to handle pressure. The NCAA Championship was won by the Texas Western Miners.
Performance can be affected by three factors. Harry was struggling in school. His coach threatened to punish Harry for not improving his grades. He was able to get back on track after his mother arrived at school. The team would have been hurt if he hadn’t improved his grades. One of his athletes entered into a relationship and perhaps this altered his game. Coach found them together on the roof and required the athlete to run stairs for long periods of time. A person’s performance may also depend on how injured they are. Willie Cager was one of the big boys. He had a heart condition when he was a boy. Coach Haskins didn’t know about this at first. After learning this, Coach Haskins refused to allow Cager to wear his uniform during games. Performance variables are one of the biggest factors that can affect performance. As mentioned, crowds can impact an athlete’s ability to perform. This is a great example of how perseverance and maturity can be used to overcome these obstacles and win even in the most difficult of situations.
ConclusionCoach Don Haskins became the first NCAA to create five black payers. His coaching decisions changed the thinking of people. Sport can be an effective social tool. While dealing with social problems Coach Haskins and his crew also demonstrated important principles for motor learning like the power of punishment and overcoming individual differences. Glory Road proves that high-motivated individuals can achieve great results, even when they face all odds.
