Types and Methods of Practice

Question 1

The way practices are structured is crucial to optimise skill learning and development. Practice conditions may involve:

Answer 1

1. Splitting the skill up into sub-routines
2. Practising the skill as a whole
3. Extension and repetition
4. Frequent rest intervals

Question 2

When is a the “part” method often used? (Fractionistion)

Answer 2

When the skill is low in organisation and can be split into sub-routines (fractionisation)

Used in teaching serial skills e.g triple jump

If the skill is complex- allows the performer to make sense of the skill and to achieve initial success with basic movements before progressing to the more complex movements

Useful in learning a dangerous skill e.g pole vault

Question 3

Example of the “part” method

Answer 3

In practising the tennis serve, you might practise the backswing first before striking the ball

If a swimmer is finding the breathing action in a swimming stroke difficult they may practice it separately, using the float and practising the head lift for breathing

Question 4

Advantage of the using the part method?

Answer 4

The performer can gain confidence by learning each element of the skill separately and then, when the separate parts are brought together, the performer will have better idea of the technique involved and be more confident of success

Useful for practising those aspects of a skill that are causing trouble in performance

Question 5

What does the “whole” method involve?

Answer 5

The skill is taught without breaking it down into sub-routines or parts

Question 6

Why should the whole method be employed more than any other, if possible?

Answer 6

As the player experiences the true “feel” for the skill and transfer from practice to the real situation is likely to be positive

Player is also likely to execute the skill fluently and can appreciate the relationships between each part of the movement

Question 7

When is the whole method of teaching the best to use?

Answer 7

When the task is rapid in action because the components of skill interact closely with one another

Question 8

Example of whole method?

Answer 8

The golf swing-
For the swing to be effective, the action must be practised as a whole because each part of the swing interacts closely with the next

If a motor programme, like a golf swing, is to be built up, it is also better to practice the movement as a whole

Question 9

What is a motor programme?

Answer 9

A generalised series of movements stored in long-term memory and retrieved by a single decision

Question 10

What does whole-part-whole practise involve?

Answer 10

The performer firstly attempting the whole skill, then practising the skills in parts/sub-routine and then putting them back together again to practice as a whole

Question 11

What is whole-part-whole method particularly suited to?

Answer 11

Serial skills or those with low organisation when sub-routines have distinct features, such as those in triple jump or a basketball lay-up shot

Question 12

Advantages of whole-part-whole method?

Answer 12

Coaches can use this method to recognise the strengths and weaknesses in a performance and then to construct separate practices that will correct errors and reinforce the correct movements

The performer will also get some of the “feel” or fluency of the skill to start with to appreciate the kinesthesis involved

Question 13

Practical example of whole-part-whole method?

Answer 13

• a basketball player may try a complete lay-up shot
• the player will then reflect and receive feedback from the coach
• then practices separate parts of skill such as take-off
• then completes skill as a whole again

Question 14

What is progressive-part method (segmentation) often referred as?

Answer 14

Chaining

Question 15

What is chaining?

Answer 15

A serial skill is often broken down into its sub-routines, which then can be seen as links of a chain

Question 16

What does progressive part method involve?

Answer 16

The performer learns one link at a time, and then a second link. The two links are then practised together, and then a third link and then further links, until the links can be practised together as a whole

Question 17

Advantages of progressive part method?

Answer 17

The learner of the skill can get the idea of the complete movement and understand the relationships between the various components and sub-routines

Method is useful for helping the lperformer to remember the links between sub-routines of skills.

Question 18

What does massed practice involve?

Answer 18

Very short, or with no rest intervals within the practice session

It’s is a continuous practice period

Question 19

What does distributed practice involve?

Answer 19

Relatively long rests between trials.

Question 20

What can the ‘rest’ intervals be used for in distributed practice?

Answer 20

Could involve tasks that are unrelated to the main practice activity

Also may be used for feedback on that particular practice

Or to practise mental rehearsal

Question 21

What is a disadvantage of massed practice?

Answer 21

It can lead to poor performance and hinder the learning process because of fatigue and demotivation

Question 22

Why is distributed practise best for tasks that are potentially dangerous?

Answer 22

Because it ensures that physical and mental fatigue does not negatively affect the performance and put the performer in danger

Question 23

What type of skills are best learned through distributed practice and why?

Answer 23

Continuous skills because the player rapidly becomes tired

Question 24

What does fixed practice involve?

Answer 24

A stable and predictable practice, where practice conditions remain the same

Question 25

What type of skills are fixed practices suited to?

Answer 25

Closed type skills

Question 26

What does fixed practice enable?

Answer 26

It enables habitual movements to be learned effectively with few other irrelevant stimuli interfering with the performers skill production

Question 27

What does varied practice involve?

Answer 27

The practice is varied so the performer can come into contact with a range of experiences

Relevant experiences are stored in the long term memory and can be used to modify programmes in the future

Question 28

How should varied practice be applied to the learning of closed skills?

Answer 28

Practice conditions closely resemble the ‘true life’ situation

Stimuli that are irrelevant to the closed skill should be varied but those that are relevant should not be varied

Question 29

How should varied practice be applied to the learning of open skills?

Answer 29

Situations will be changed-conditions are not constant

Essential the practice involves many different situations so that the performer can draw from the strategies in long-term memory

Question 30

Practical example of varied practice?

Answer 30

Primary schools emphasising on giving each child a wide variety of experiences involving dance, and game activities
The child then builds a ‘bank’ of experiences which they can draw on when faced with new situations