Kinesthetic memory (muscle memory) is a term frequently used to describe the learning of motor skills, whether related to sports, music, or everyday activities ( Farrow, 2013). . With lots of intense practice and mental focus, we can teach our muscles to repeat certain movements on a subconscious level (Morley, 2013). Rapid and effective learning of a motor skill takes place in three stages. These three steps are:1. Cognitive stage: Full attention to the motor task is required as we identify the skill and focus on how to perform it.2. Associative stage: we understand how the skill is performed and can begin to practice it.3. Autonomous step: we can perform the skill automatically without conscious thought. (DNA Sports Performance, 2013). As we perfect a motor skill through these three stages, which we call the understanding stage, the practice stage and the knowledge stage, the execution of the motor movement shifts from conscious control of the cerebral cortex to the subconscious control of the cerebellum. In basketball, kinesthetic memory is acquired over time by repeatedly practicing a shot. A beginning player concentrates hard to figure out how to make fingers, hands, arms, and legs move exactly based on what he sees. With repeated practice, “see-think-do” gradually becomes “see-do” because the muscles seem to “know” and “remember” exactly what to do (Simlog, 2013) to succeed. Muscle memory holds up. a well-positioned player when there is no performance pressure and no need to consciously think about the shot. However, when shooting under pressure, many players become conscious of their efforts to achieve the perfect shot. The shift from subconscious muscle control...... middle of paper...... November 15). Nothing but Net; The Science of Shooting Hoops / Science Buddies retrieved December 11, 2013 from http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/Sports_p010.shtml#summaryPhelps, Richard “Digger” (2011) Basketball for Dummies (Incomplete )The physics class (1996). Characteristics of the trajectory of a projectile. Retrieved December 11, 2013, from http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/vectors/U3L2b.cfmThe Physics Classroom (1996). What is a projectile? Retrieved December 11, 2013 from http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/vectors/U3L2a.cfmSimlog (2013). Muscle memory - Simlog. Retrieved December 29, 2013 from http://www.simlog.com/muscle-memory.htmlWikipedia (December 12, 2013). Hand-eye coordination - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved December 27, 2013 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye%E2%80%93hand_coordination