Practice: Structures and methods Flashcards
What is fixed practice?
A specific movement is practiced repeatedly (drills), in a closed, conditioned environment
What are the positives and negatives of fixed practice?
+
> Skill quickly mastered
> Removes risk/danger
> Controllable environment
-
> Repetitive (requires motivation)
> Uses less decision making
Give two examples of fixed practice
Suits:
> Cognitive learners
> Closed/Discreet skills
Examples:
> Set plays, penalties
> Rucking in rugby (risk)
What is variable practice?
Practicing the skill in a variety of contexts and scenarios (open environment)
What are the positives and negatives of variable practice?
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> Enables decision making
> Applies skills to game scenarios
> Improves teamwork and cooperation
-
> Skill must be mastered already
> Doesn’t remove risk
Give two examples of variable practice
Suits:
> Associative/autonomous learners
> Open skills
> Game sports (situational coaching)
Examples:
> Applying set plays to game scenarios (American football)
> 2v3’s etc
What is massed practice?
A skill is practiced until learnt without taking breaks
What are the positives and negatives of massed practice?
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> Builds muscle memory and kinaesthetic awareness
> Fatigue - mimics end of a game (physically demanding)
-
> Fatigue - causes technique to drop - muscle memory affected
> Requires motivation - can be boring
Give two examples of massed practice
Suits:
> Autonomous learners (requires experience and fitness)
> Continuous and closed skills
Examples:
> Elite basket baller - free throws
> Long distance runners, swimmers, cyclists
What is distributed practice?
Practice is interspersed with breaks
What are the positives and negatives of distributed practice?
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> Breaks: rest, recovery, feedback, guidance, mental rehearsal
> Less likely for fatigue to affect practice
> A range of practice methods can be used
-
> Takes longer to master skills - can affect motivation
> Less time spent on practice
> Skill transfer (learning multiple things in one session)
Give two examples of distributed practice
Suits:
> Cognitive learners
> Complex skills (require more feedback/guidance)
> All methods of practice and skill types
> Skills with risk
Examples:
> Gymnastics (breaks between events)
> Young rugby teams
What is the whole method of practice?
Skill is demonstrated, then practiced as a whole from start to finish
What are the positives and negatives of the whole method of practice?
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> Learner gets a feel for the whole skill, timings, and the end product
(kinaesthetic awareness)
> Quicker
-
> Shouldn’t be used for risky skills
> Requires motivation, focus, and concentration
> Difficulty can decrease motivation
Give two examples of the whole method of practice
Suits:
> Autonomous learners
> Command teaching
> High organisation, closed, discreet, ballistic skills
Examples:
> Somersaults
> Diving
What is the part method of practice?
Parts of the skill are practiced in isolation
What are the positives and negatives of the part method of practice?
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> Maintains motivation
> Weaker areas can be focused on
> Simplifies the skill
-
> Transfer of skill from part to whole can be difficult
> Reduces kinaesthetic awareness of the whole skill
> More time consuming
Give two examples of the part method of practice
Suits:
> Complex, serial, Low organisation skills
> Cognitive learners
> Experienced athletes wanting to improve specifics
Examples:
> Triple jump
> Gymnastics tumbles
What is the whole-part-whole method of practice?
The whole skill is first demonstrated, then practiced, then weak parts are identified and improved on, then the whole skill is practiced again
What are the positives and negatives of the whole-part-whole method of practice?
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> Breaks down and simplifies skills
> Builds Kinaesthetic awareness while improving weaknesses
-
> Some experience is needed
> Requires motivation when working on weaknesses
Give to examples of the whole-part-whole method of practice
Suits:
> Low organisation skills
> Autonomous learners
Examples:
> Isolating arm/leg movements in swimming
> Triple jump
What is the progressive part method of practice?
(Chaining method) - Parts of the skill are practiced separately, in order, before being linked together
What are the positives and negatives of the progressive part method of practice?
+
> Simplifies complex skills into manageable chunks
> Work on weaknesses
> Allows memory and kinaesthetic awareness to be built
-
> Only suits a small range of skills
> Slow process
Give two examples of the progressive part method of practice
Suits:
> Routines / long skills with subroutines that require memory
> Serial skills
Examples:
> Set plays
> Triple jump (serial skill)
> Routines (gymnastics/dance)
