Train the problem. Build the athlete.

The five-part model

Every session in the Lab follows the same shape:

Problem → Phase → Game → Constraint → Result

• Problem — the specific breakdown the athlete keeps hitting.
• Phase — where in the fight it occurs.
• Game — a live situation that repeatedly exposes the problem.
• Constraint — a rule that directs attention and shapes exploration.
• Result — what changed, and what to train next.

What CLA is

• Realistic problems can help athletes connect perception and action.
• Constraints can direct attention and shape exploration.
• Games make specific problems repeatable inside a live round.
• Skill grows through repeated exposure, not through single sessions.

What CLA is not

• Not a rejection of technical teaching — explicit instruction still matters.
• Not a set of magic games that "fix" a problem in one round.
• Not a replacement for a coach's judgement, observation, or safety oversight.

How to use the Lab

Start with a real problem, not a game. Use the tools in the order that matches how you'd coach a session:

1. Problem Filter — narrow down what is actually breaking down.
2. Phase Finder — locate the phase of the fight where it lives.
3. Game Library — pick a game that exposes the problem repeatedly.
4. Objective Builder — adjust constraints so the game targets your athlete.
5. Flow Chain — sequence games into a full session.

Limits and honesty

CLA Game Lab is a training-design tool. It does not certify coaches, publish research, or make claims about outcomes. Games are prompts for practice — coaches still observe, guide, adjust, explain, and protect participants.

Related reading: Coach guide, Student guide, Glossary, About the project.