4 - Types of Practice

Question 1

Define Massed Practice?

Answer 1

Massed practice is continuous practice without rest periods.

Question 2

Massed practice is used when the skill is?

Answer 2

• Discrete
• Closed and Simple
• Self-paced
• Performer is highly motivated
• Performer is autonomous
• Performer is physically fit

Question 3

What is an example of a Massed Practice?

Answer 3

Examples include a badminton player attempting to perfect their short serve, or a trampolinist continuously practising seat drops to make it habitual.

Question 4

What are advantages of Massed Practice?

Answer 4

• Grooves/overlearned skills so they become habitual
• Motor programs are formed
• Improves fitness

Question 5

What are disadvantages of Massed Practice?

Answer 5

• Causes fatigue
• Performer may not be capable of undertaking the practice
• No time for feedback

Question 6

Define Distributed Practice?

Answer 6

Distributed practice is practice with rest periods included.

Question 7

Distributed Practice is used when skill is?

Answer 7

• Continuous
• Complex
• Serial
• Open
• Low Organisation
• Dangerous
• Tiring
• Externally paced
• Performer is cognitive
• Performer is unfit
• Performer is lacking motivation

Question 8

What is an example of Distributed Practice?

Answer 8

Examples include a swimmer practising a stroke technique in training.

Question 9

What are advantages of Distributed Practice?

Answer 9

More affective than mass practice 
Allows time for physical recovery 
Allows time for mental practice 
Coach can give feedback 
Motivational

Question 10

Give disadvantages of Distributed Practice?

Answer 10

• Time-consuming

- Can cause negative transfer

Question 11

Define Variable Practice?

Answer 11

Variable practice is practising skills and drills in a constantly changing environment.

Question 12

Variable Practice is used when skill is?

Answer 12

• Open
• Externally Paced
• Complex
• Performer is cognitive
• Performer is lacking motivation

Question 13

Whats an example of Variable Practice?

Answer 13

When practising 3 vs 2 attacking play in rugby, performers will develop their passing technique and positional play, which can be directly transferred into a game situation.

Question 14

What are advantages of Variable Practice?

Answer 14

• Develop schema
• Increases motivation
• Gains experience
• Positive transfer from training to game

Question 15

What are the disadvantages of Variable Practice?

Answer 15

• Time-consuming
• Can cause fatigue
• Possible information overload
• Can cause negative transfer

Question 16

Define Mental Practice?

Answer 16

Mental practice is going over the skill in the mind without moving:

• Internal, seeing performance from ‘within’ through own eyes and being aware of emotions/anxiety etc
• External, seeing performance from outside as a spectator.

Question 17

Mental Practice used when skill is?

Answer 17

• Complex
• Serial
• Performer is cognitive, (builds a clear image).
• Autonomous (focus on key strategies / tactics)

Question 18

Whats an example of Mental Practice?

Answer 18

Triple jumper about to take a final jump in competition may visualise the stages of the jump in their mind before actually beginning.

Question 19

What are advantages of Mental Practice?

Answer 19

Produces a clear mental image

• Performers can see themselves being successful
• Can rehearse strategies/tactics
• Increases confidence and reduces anxiety
• Muscles are stimulated
• Reaction time improves

Question 20

What are the disadvantages of Mental Practice?

Answer 20

• Difficult for cognitive performance to complete effectively
• Mental image must be accurate
• Difficult if environment is not quiet (really loud).