C11 - Types + Methods of Practices

Question 1

What is whole practice?

Answer 1

• Definition: The entire skill is practiced as a single movement or action, without breaking it down.
• Type of Skill: Simple, discrete, closed + fast
• Pros: Promotes fluency, understanding, keeps links bt/w subroutines, develops motor programmes
• Cons: Too much info, especially for beginners

Example: Practicing a tennis serve as a whole action.

Question 2

What is part practice?

Answer 2

• Definition: The skill is broken down into subroutines
• Type of Skill: Complex, dangerous, serial
• Pros: Reduces complexity, confidence, reduces danger + fatigue
• Cons: Time consuming, lose fluency + links bt/w subroutines

Example: Practicing the arm movement in swimming separately from the leg kick.

Question 3

What is progressive part practice?

Answer 3

• Definition: The skill is practiced in parts sequentially, with each part added to the previous one until the full skill is performed.
• Type of Skill: Serial, complex, chaining
• Pros: Keeps links, motivation, stages success
• Cons: Time-consuming; not suitable for highly organized skills.

Example: Practicing the hop phase, then the hop and step phases, then the full triple jump.

Question 4

What is whole-part-whole practice?

Answer 4

• Definition: The skill is practiced as a whole first, then broken down into parts for refinement, and finally practiced as a whole again.
• Type of Skill: Any
• Pros: Easily break down subroutines, allows kinaesthetic feel
• Cons: Time consuming, not good for highly organised skills

Example: Performing a basketball layup, isolating the footwork for improvement, then performing the layup again as a whole.

Question 5

What is massed practice?

Answer 5

• Definition: Continuous practice without rest or breaks.
• Type of Skill: Simple, discrete, closed
• Pros: Polishing skill, enables motor programmed developed, increase fitness
• Cons: Can lead to fatigue, reduced concentration, no time feedback

Example: Performing 50 consecutive basketball free throws.

Question 6

What is distributed practice?

Answer 6

• Definition: Practice sessions with rest intervals or breaks between attempts.
• Type of Skill: Complex, serial or unfit beginners
• Pros: Reduces fatigue, allows for mental rehearsal, allows coaching
• Cons: May take longer, less suitable for skilled performers needing repetition.

Example: Practicing swimming laps with breaks in between.

Question 7

What is variable practice?

Answer 7

• Definition: Practicing a skill in varied conditions to adapt to different scenarios.
• Type of Skill: Ideal for open skills requiring adaptability
• Pros: Motivation, develops schema, builds sub-routines
• Cons: Neg transfer, time consuming

Example: Practicing football passes in different areas of the pitch and under varying levels of pressure.

Question 8

What is fixed practice?

Answer 8

• Definition: Repeating the same skill in a consistent, unchanging environment.
• Type of Skill: Closed skills
• Pros: Consistency + automaticity, develops muscle memory.
• Cons: Can be monotonous, lacks adaptability for open skills.

Example: Repeatedly practicing a javelin throw in a controlled setting.

Question 9

What is mental practice?

Answer 9

• Definition: Visualizing or mentally rehearsing a skill without physical movement.
• Type of Skill: All
• Pros: Enhances concentration, reduces anxiety, reinforces neural pathways, and improves confidence.
• Cons: Difficult visual + time consuming to learn

Example: Visualizing a gymnastics routine before performing it.