Topic: Muscle memory

[Old Meister]

On our local foos site a player stated that over practicing takes away muscle memory. In thinking about it I can see how this could be true. While we practice we think about what we are doing. While playing we use those "snap shots" or "film clips" to direct our play, not conscious thought. The thing is is we need to practice to get better but how do we practice to then strengthen our automatic or muscle memory play? I think this is a timely topic with Vegas and other big tournaments on the horizon.

[snake eyes]

I think just the opposite the more practice the better the muscle memory.

[Tyler Foos]

Interesting topic.

I guess you have to start with a definition of 'over practicing'. When muscle fatigue starts affecting the mechanics of your shot (or any repetitive motion, for that matter) and you therefore start adjusting to that base muscle memory, then I can see how over practicing can indeed hurt. That would be different than saying that practicing a lot would hurt your muscle memory, again 'over' practicing being the operative phrase. Maybe the definition of 'over practicing' is when you are modifying what you learned (or grooved through muscle memory) to compensate for fatigue.

Interested to hear what others think.

Take care........................................................Tyler

[Old Meister]

The actual phrase was,"Your muscle memory disappears with over training." Tyler is right about what constitutes "over training" which I suspect is different for each person.

[snake eyes]

My stick wall and stick lane passes catch percentage are all do to consistent repetitive action IMO. I have practiced these so many times my brain and my hands know exactly where to be be when I execute. Isn't a passing series something that is fine tuned from your particular style of play? That is muscle memory in my definition.