Methods of practice Flashcards
Imagery/visualisation
Athlete visualises them self performing a skill without actually performing it.
Mental practice can improve performance BUT it cannot replace physical practice
Mental practice
Cognitive = thinking about strategies + tactics help the learner make the correct decision
Neuromuscular = causes muscular neurones to react as if the muscle is actually active.
Confidence = improves as the performer concentrates on successful + correct performances.
Fixed practice
Closed conditions = activities repeated
Used when learning closed skills
Advantages of fixed practice
Promotes over-learning
Repetitive practice allows skills to be mastered
Disadvantages of fixed practice
Doesn’t prepare performers for when things go wrong
Variable practice
Range of skills relating to the performance
Used when learning open skills = decision-making + interaction involved
Advantages of variable practice
Practise in situations that are more realistic to their sporting activity
Whole activity practised
Disadvantages of variable practice
Difficult to simulate competitive scenarios
Massed practice
Practicing a skill repeatedly over an extended period of time until it is mastered
Used when learning simple skills + performer is experienced
Advantages of massed practice
Good for mastering skills
Practice time is short
Good for learning skills of short duration
Disadvantages of massed practice
Can lead to boredom and fatigue
Distributed practice
Includes intervals for rest or mental rehearsal
Used when learning a new/complex skill
Used for performers with low motivation
Advantages of distributed practice
Provides time to recover physically and mentally
Good for potentially dangerous situations
Disadvantages of distributed practice
Unsuitable for complex skills
Whole practice
Skill is taught without breaking it down into parts or sub-routines
Used when the skill is continuous
Advantages of whole practice
Learner experiences the true ‘feel’ of the movement
Good for learning serial + complex skills.
Learner will learn timing of the whole movement.
Learning can be quicker
Disadvantages of whole practice
Not suitable for learners who can only process small amounts of information
Part practice
Skill is split up into sub-routines
Each part is practices separately
Advantages of part practice
Performer can focus on a particular part of a skill to improve their overall performance of the skill.
Beneficial when learning complex or dangerous skills.
Disadvantages of part practice
Breaking the skill down is time-consuming + takes longer to learn or improve performance of skills
Part-progressive practice
Different components put together to make up the whole performance —> e.g. a dance routine
Used when skill is low in organisation + for learning serial + complex skills
Linked to the early stages of learning
Advantages of part-progressive practice
Early success
Learner can focus on particular parts of the skill
Disadvantages of part-progressive practice
Difficulty in putting parts altogether
Reduces kinaesthetic awareness
