Paddling with Maxine Sheets-Johnstone: Exploring the moving body in sport

Abstract

This paper aims to contribute to the theoretical discussion and empirical application of phenomenology in the sociology of sport by drawing on Maxine Sheets-Johnstone’s theories. I propose that Sheets-Johnstone’s movement-focused phenomenology can be complementary to Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenology of the body in the analyses of sporting moves and the learning of new moves. I mainly applied two concepts from Sheets-Johnstone, tactile-kinesthetic/kinetic dynamics and emotion-motion dynamics, to explore the moving body in waka ama (outrigger canoe) paddling, based on my beginner’s and other competent paddlers’ experiences. Findings demonstrate that a moving/paddling body is spontaneously a tactile-kinesthetic/kinetic, emotion-motion and intercorporeal body. These bodily dimensions enrich our understandings of the ways of learning new movements, doing sport and doing sport together.

Earth(l)y pleasures and air-borne bodies: Elemental haptics in women's cross-country running

“…Allen-Collinson et al, 2019; Bluhm and Ravn, 2021; Gross, 2021; Rochat et al, 2018). Embracing aquatic environments, and employing Merleau-Pontian perspectives, McNarry et al (2020) explore competitive swimming, while Liu (2021), also drawing on Sheets-Johnstone's work, considers waka ama (Māori canoe) paddling. The phenomenological lens has been widened beyond sport to focus on physical cultures such as dance (Purser, 2018; Ravn and Hansen, 2013).…”

“…In sporting contexts, in addition to intercorporeal haptics, the touch of surfaces has been addressed in relation to movement on/over paths, tracks, trails, pavements, roads, playing fields, and pitches (e.g. Bamberg et al, 2018; Barnfield, 2020; Brown, 2017; Hockey, 2006; Hockey and Allen-Collinson, 2007; Hughson and Inglis, 2002; Lamont, 2020; Nettleton, 2015), and also vis-à-vis a diverse range of specialist kit and equipment from bikes (Brown, 2017; Lamont, 2020, Spinney, 2006), to canoe paddles (Hughes, 2018; Liu, 2021), and cricket balls (Sparkes, 2009), to give just some examples. Before considering the specifics of the elemental haptics that emerged so vividly in our findings, we first describe the research projects from which these data derive.…”

The physicality of mindsports through elite bridge players’ sensorial experiences: Presence, confidence and bodies

“…If you're fidgety it definitely adds an element of distraction to your opponents and if you're good enough they won't say anything to you. (Zach Grossack, USA) Rather than attempting to seek 'intercorporeal attunement' (Liu, 2022), as was the case with Simon and his partner, here Zach seems to indicate that he is attempting to create 'intercorporeal disruption' with his opponent instead. This highlights how the physical actions of 'others' alters individuals' 'frame of confidence' (Scott, 2020).…”

“…These considerations lead us to question the embodied experience of playing bridge. It cannot be simply reduced to either its physical or intellectual components, in the same way that other mindsports such as esports (Ekdahl & Ravn, 2019, 2022 cannot either. It is therefore pertinent to consider the ways in which the playing of bridge is more than just an intellectual pursuit by exploring the sensuous, emotional and lived experiences of players to understand how playing bridge can be embodied.…”

“…But again it's kind of reading people, because I know that if I engage with him or try to say -it would just escalate so it's easier just to let him have his five minutes of fury and move on. (Ciara Burns, Northern Ireland) Here, Liu's (2022) combining of Merleau-Ponty's intersubjectivity (2002) with Sheets-Johnstone's (2010) tactile-kinaesthetic understanding of movement is particularly useful to consider in relation to intercorporeality and bridge. While Liu (2022) discusses these in relation to an activity which requires synchronised movements within a team in waka ama paddling, the notion of a 'sensed' and coordinated embodied performance also applies to a bridge partnership.…”