Transfer of expert visual anticipation to a similar domain

Abstract

The experiment reported in this paper examined the capability of expert and near-expert baseball batters and novices to transfer anticipatory skill to a cricket batting prediction task. A video-simulation temporal occlusion paradigm was used to first assess the anticipatory skill of expertise groups in a baseball batting prediction task (learning sport) and, second, to assess the capability of expertise groups to transfer anticipation skill to a cricket batting prediction task (transfer sport). Results showed that expert and near-expert baseball batters were superior to novices at anticipating pitch type based upon pre-ball-flight advance information. Only expert baseball batters were capable of transferring their anticipatory skill to predict delivery type based upon advance information in the bowler's action, whilst near-experts and novices relied upon ball-flight information. The findings extend understanding of transfer of learning in the motor domain and some theoretical/empirical concepts of transfer.

Keywords:

• Transfer
• Anticipation
• Expertise
• Baseball batting
• Cricket batting

The authors are grateful for the funding and support provided for this research by the McCusker Charitable Foundation, in particular, His Excellency Mr. Malcolm McCusker and Mrs. Tonya McCusker. The authors would like to thank the following individuals who contributed to the research, Prof. Cassandra Berry, Brooke Knight, Steve Fish, Owen Reid and all participants. This research was supported by a grant from the McCusker Charitable Foundation.