Chapter 4 Practice and feedback Flashcards
Amount of practice
The more time an individual practices a new movement skill, the greater chance they have of mastering that skill
Maximizing practice time
To facilitate effective skill learning within a limited time frame, it is important to allow the learner to spend as much time as possible in meaningful practice
Maximizing practice time ensures greater learner engagement and motivation
Diminishing returns
The principle of diminishing returns states that as a performer becomes more competent in their skill performance and progresses to the latter stages of learning, there is a gradual reduction in the rate of improvement in skill performance in response to practice
Practice distribution
Practice distribution refers to the ratio of time spent actively practicing compared to time spent resting
There are two broad categories of practice distribution: massed practice and distributed practice
Massed practice
Massed practice is a form of practice which involves little to no rest between repeat performances of a skill
Massed practice can be useful in developing discrete skills such as a swing in golf where the golfer can work on their swing by hitting multiple shots one after another
Advantages of massed practice
Maximizes practice time
May suit non-fatiguing discrete skill practice
May suit an elite, highly motivated performer
Disadvantages of massed practice
Physically and mentally fatiguing
Repetitious and boring
Distributed practice session
Distributed practice sessions is a form of practice which involves smaller practice time intervals and are interspersed with rest periods
Advantages of distributed practice
Greater learner engagement
Assists beginner or less motivated performer
Reduction of fatigue during practice
May help to learn a complex skill
Recovery period allows for memory consolidation
Disadvantages of distributed practice
More time consuming
May be less suited to discrete skill rehearsal
Time may be managed ineffectively resulting in longer rest times than practice times
Can be boring
Practice variability
Practice variability refers to the degree to which a coach varies the conditions in which skills are rehearsed, as well as the number and variety of skills that are practiced in a particular training session
Blocked practice
Blocked practice session involve practicing the same skill repetitively in the same practice condition for a set period of time
An example can be volleyball coach working on their player’s serve for 15-minute time period before working on the player’s dig for 15 minutes
Serial practice
Serial practice is a form of practice that involves rehearsing different skills but in a fixed and relatively predictable sequence
An example can be a tennis coach that makes their junior players hit four to six forehands, then four to six backhands, followed by four to six volleys, before starting on the forehand again and repeating the sequence over and over
Random practice
Random practice is a form of practice that involves rehearsing a number of different skills in an unpredictable sequence
More effective at preparing learner for the games environment as it closely resembles the physical and cognitive demands of a game and also enables the learner to develop more applicable skills which ultimately enables the improvement of applicable decision-making skills
Deliberate practice
Deliberate practice is any activity that is undertaken with the specific purpose of increasing performance, requires cognitive and/or physical effort and is relevant to promoting positive skill development in a particular sport
