Paul Perrone Kicking - Motion Intelligence

Motion Intelligence

This feature separates PPK from other instruction in terms of progress between sessions when the player is working on his own. It uses Full Body Rehearsal, which encodes motions into the central nervous system (CNS). During training, the player forms a blueprint for the motion involved with part of the kicking or punting sequence. Then, during live performance, this blueprint is accessed at the subconscious level – the athlete is “programmed” to execute the motion the correct way. This is known as Symbolic Learning Theory.

Once video analysis is done and mechanical flaws are identified, the six-week work plan is formed. Six weeks allows for three, two-week segments, each focused on one flaw or part of the motion. Full body rehearsal is done after stretching, swing buildup and full kicks or punts. This allows the athlete to use “Whole-Part-Whole” learning: he builds up to the full kicking approach and motion (Whole), does the assigned drills for the two-week period (Part), then goes back to full kicks, working in different situations (field goals or directional punting).

The Full body rehearsal sequence goes like this:

Ten reps at ½ speed
Ten reps at ½ speed with eyes closed
Ten reps at “full”speed

Having the eyes closed in the second set really targets the CNS because the player has no visual reference; when you add it back, he’s that much more proficient at the skill. I also put “full” in quotes because a players regular swing should be at 75-80% power to preserve proper timing.