Types & Methods of Practice

Question 1

What types of skill would be best suited for using the ‘part’ method for teaching?

Answer 1

Serial skills / those with clearly defined sub-routines

Question 2

Why might using the ‘part’ method of teaching be beneficial? (3 ways)

Answer 2

Useful for learning dangerous skills.

Give confidence in each part before bringing all elements together.

Focus on element of serial skills that is the weakness.

Question 3

The ‘whole’ method of practice should be used as much as possible, why?

Answer 3

Develops kinaesthetic feel of a skill

Question 4

What is a motor programme?

Answer 4

Series of movements stored in the long term memory and retrieved by a single decision

Question 5

Progressive-part method is often referred to as chaining. Define this term.

Answer 5

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

Question 6

What is the difference between massed and distributed practice?

Answer 6

Distributed involves relatively long rest periods between trials whereas massed is a continuous practice period

Question 7

Give an example of a fixed practice

Answer 7

Practice conditions remain unchanged e.g. badminton player practicing a short serve to a particular point

Question 8

What is varied practice?

Answer 8

Where a coach varies the external stimuli to ensure it is close to true life….unlike the fixed practice

Question 9

A basketball player is practicing their free throw shot. Would you recommend fixed or varied practice?

Answer 9

Fixed as this is a self paced, closed skill without defenders from a set starting point at all times