Practice: Structures and methods

Question 1

Fixed Practice:

Answer 1

A specific movement is practiced repeatedly (drills), in a closed, conditioned environment

Question 2

Fixed Practice: +-

Answer 2

+
> Skill quickly mastered
> Removes risk/danger
> Controllable environment
-
> Repetitive (requires motivation)
> Uses less decision making

Question 3

Fixed Practice: Examples

Answer 3

Suits:
> Cognitive learners
> Closed/Discreet skills
Examples:
> Set plays, penalties
> Rucking in rugby (risk)

Question 4

Variable Practice:

Answer 4

Practicing the skill in a variety of contexts and scenarios (open environment)

Question 5

Variable Practice: +-

Answer 5

+
> Enables decision making
> Applies skills to game scenarios
> Improves teamwork and cooperation
-
> Skill must be mastered already
> Doesn’t remove risk

Question 6

Variable Practice: Examples

Answer 6

Suits:
> Associative/autonomous learners
> Open skills
> Game sports (situational coaching)
Examples:
> Applying set plays to game scenarios (American football)
> 2v3’s etc

Question 7

Massed Practice:

Answer 7

A skill is practiced until learnt without taking breaks

Question 8

Massed Practice: +-

Answer 8

+
> 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

Question 9

Massed Practice: Examples

Answer 9

Suits:
> Autonomous learners (requires experience and fitness)
> Continuous and closed skills
Examples:
> Elite basket baller - free throws
> Long distance runners, swimmers, cyclists

Question 10

Distributed Practice:

Answer 10

Practice is interspersed with breaks

Question 11

Distributed Practice: +-

Answer 11

+
> 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)

Question 12

Distributed Practice: Examples

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Whole Method:

Answer 13

Skill is demonstrated, then practiced as a whole from start to finish

Question 14

Whole Method: +-

Answer 14

+
> 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

Question 15

Whole Method: Examples

Answer 15

Suits:
> Autonomous learners
> Command teaching
> High organisation, closed, discreet, ballistic skills
Examples:
> Somersaults
> Diving

Question 16

Part Method:

Answer 16

Parts of the skill are practiced in isolation

Question 17

Part Method: +-

Answer 17

+
> 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

Question 18

Part Method: Examples

Answer 18

Suits:
> Complex, serial, Low organisation skills
> Cognitive learners
> Experienced athletes wanting to improve specifics
Examples:
> Triple jump
> Gymnastics tumbles

Question 19

Whole-Part-Whole Method:

Answer 19

The whole skill is first demonstrated, then practiced, then weak parts are identified and improved on, then the whole skill is practiced again

Question 20

Whole-Part-Whole Method: +-

Answer 20

+
> Breaks down and simplifies skills
> Builds Kinaesthetic awareness while improving weaknesses
-
> Some experience is needed
> Requires motivation when working on weaknesses

Question 21

Whole-Part-Whole Method: Examples

Answer 21

Suits:
> Low organisation skills
> Autonomous learners
Examples:
> Isolating arm/leg movements in swimming
> Triple jump

Question 22

Progressive Part Method:

Answer 22

(Chaining method) - Parts of the skill are practiced separately, in order, before being linked together

Question 23

Progressive Part Method: +-

Answer 23

+
> 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

Question 24

Progressive Part Method: Examples

Answer 24

Suits:
> Routines / long skills with subroutines that require memory
> Serial skills
Examples:
> Set plays
> Triple jump (serial skill)
> Routines (gymnastics/dance)