1
Q
Definition of massed practice
A
- no rest intervals
- it involves the repeated practice with few or no rest periods
- the practice is suited to the repetition of discrete and simple skills
- massed practice is similar to fixed practice and will allow skills to become habitual and ‘over learned’ with a strong development of motor programmes
- events such as triathlon will benefit from massed practice; the repetition of movements over a long period of time requires the performer to have high levels of fitness and as the nature of this practice can be tedious the more advanced and highly motivated performers cope better with this type of practice
2
Q
What is massed practice suitable for which type of performers ?
A
- experienced/ skilled performers
- motivated
- older so less likely to get bored
- high fitness levels
- experts
3
Q
When is massed practice usually used (skill)?
A
- closed, simple and low organisation
- not dangerous
- discrete skills
- simple skills
4
Q
Advantages of massed practice
A
- correct movement is grooved until you get a feeling for the skill and it becomes automatic
- enhances over learning
- increases fitness
- enables formation of motor programmes
- good for habitual responses/ closed skills
5
Q
Disadvantages of massed practice
A
- can be boring
- can be tiring leading to errors
- can lead to potential accidents
- does not allow time for feedback to improve performance
- an increase in fatigue from the practice a technical skill would suffer from this type of practice and become unlearnt
6
Q
Massed practice (example)
A
Elite tennis player
- they would practice the same shot over and over again so the movement pattern is grooved
This would be suitable to this type of performer because they are:
- experienced/ skilled/ motivated
- older so less likely to get bored
- high fitness levels
Skills are usually:
- simple
- closed
- low organisation
7
Q
Distributed practice
A
- when there are breaks in the session providing rest and a change of activity
- there are fewer repetitions, several skills can be practiced at once
- involves the repeated practice of skills with a recovery and rest period before the repetition of the skill
- similar to interval training
8
Q
What performers are distributed practice suitable for?
A
- a beginner
- not very skilled
- younger so more likely to get bored
- low fitness levels
- best suited with novice performers
- lack of fitness and low motivation
9
Q
What skill is distributed practice usually used for?
A
- open, complex an highly organisation
- can be dangerous
- skills that are continuous, gross and complex
- include dangerous environments
10
Q
Advantages of distributed practice
A
- performers doesn’t get tired
- prevents boredom
- keeps motivation
- facilitates coaching
- less dangerous
- allows mental rehearsal
- rest intervals allows recovery
- less mental pressure
11
Q
Disadvantages of distributed practice
A
- may not improve the skill in the time allowed
- may take longer to learn the skill
- time consuming
- negative transfer
12
Q
Distributed practice (example)
A
Beginner tennis player
- they would practice a skill with fewer repetitions and several skills can be practiced at the same time
- this would be suitable to this type of performer because they are:
- a beginner and not very skilled
- younger so likely to get bored
- low fitness levels
Skills are usually:
- complex
- open
- high organisation
13
Q
Why is distributed practice more effective than massed practice?
A
- performers find this method less tiring, due to the rest periods they avoid overload
- each practice session can be varied and this prevents tedium
- maintains motivation and concentration of the learner
- coaches utilise mental practice and rehearsal during the breaks between practice and feedback can be made at each session preventing mistakes being compounded
- this helps the performer develop a wider schema and additional skills that can positively transfer onto other skills
14
Q
Fixed practice
A
- its when the whole movement of a skill is repeatedly practiced in the same way so it becomes learnt
- the skill is not broken down into smaller parts
- ## involves the repetition of a skill to promote over learning
15
Q
When is fixed practice used?
A
- the sport is mainly made up of closed skills
- the performer can practice in a situation similar to the performance situation
- there is one uniform task
- the skill needs fine tuning
- the skill needs to be habitual
- consistency is required
16
Q
What skills are performers use fixed practice ?
A
- advanced performers
- closed skills
- dangerous skills
- simple skills
17
Q
What happens during fixed practice?
A
- the situation does not change
- the routine is repeated until it becomes automatic
- the equipment stays the same
18
Q
Examples of fixed practice
A
- practice golf shots
- practice tennis serve
- gymnastics vault
19
Q
Advantages of fixed practice
A
- over learning
- reduces danger
- consistency
- good habits
- movement becomes over learnt
- little conscious attention needs to be paid to the execution of the skill
20
Q
Disadvantages of fixed practice
A
- boredom
- fatigue
- lacking challenge
- performer needs to be fit
- lack of variability and challenge can become boring
21
Q
Why may a professional player use fixed practice?
A
- to maintain a high level of performance in a certain skill from their sport
E.g. a tennis player might continually repeat serves; a soccer player might take a number of penalties in practice
22
Q
Fixed practice (example)
A
Golfer
- they would practice the whole skill repeatedly until it becomes learned and automatic
- during fixed practice:
- the situation doesn’t change
- equipment stays the same
- routine is repeated
23
Q
Varied practice
A
- when the same skill is repeated in different situations
- learning different skills in different situations means that when different situations arise, the performer has already experienced them
- involves changing the practice conditions to incorporate as many different situations as possible in a range of different contexts which replicate the various situations found in competition
- this enables the performer to both learn the skill and apply it to novel situations
24
Q
When is varied practice used?
A
- the sport is mainly made up of open skills, because the situation is often changing
- beginners
- different method
25
What happens during varied practice?
- the level of difficulty of the skill can be gradually increased so the performer can use the same skill in challenging situations
- performers rehearse scenarios set by the coach and each time a scenario is repeated there will be something different that happens
- this method extends the learners schema by changing the practice conditions, it allows the development of the motor programmes in the long term memory through different practice
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Features of varied practice
- it helps to motivate
- it is especially appropriate for beginners
- it is for open skills
- it develops schema
- it builds sub-routines
- it can be used on complex tasks by practicing one piece at a time
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Advantages of varied practice
- motivation
- develops schema
- builds sub routines
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Disadvantages of varied practice
- negative transfer
- time consuming
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Why may a group of novice games players use varied practice?
- to introduce the skills of the game
- passing techniques in rugby can be developed by using mini games, unopposed practice, drills and skills
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Examples of varied practice
- 2 V 2 and 3 V 2 in rugby
- developing passing skills in netball
- free kicks from various positions
31
Games player (example of varied practice)
- they would practice the skill repeatedly in different situations so when that situation occurs in a game they will already have experienced it
- variable practice is used during open skills
- during variable practice:
- the same skill can be practiced in many different situations
- situations can vary in challenge
32
Explain the use of a fixed structure for team games
- a fixed practice structure demands a set response from a set stimulus
- a coach can condition environment to produce the desired outcome
- the structure is preferable for closed skills
- it is more effective at early stages of skill learning
- it is useful for practice of penalty situations and set plays in team games e.g. a free throw in basketball or lineout in rugby
- it is useful for practice of situations in team games where there is a high element of danger e.g. rucking in rugby
- a variable practice structure would be move relevant for open skills in team games
33
What is mental rehearsal?
- the cognitive rehearsal of a skill without physical movement
- can be used during a warm up or before an event
34
Mental rehearsal (internal)
- involves the performer seeing themselves from within completing the action or in the situation and consequently creating a kinaesthetic feel of the actual movement
35
Mental rehearsal (external)
- involves the performer seeing themselves as if they were a spectator or on a film. They actually imagine watching themselves performing the skill
36
Advantages of mental rehearsal
- can lead to reduction in anxiety
- can control arousal
- helps clarify goals
- aids psychological preparation
- stimulates nerve reactions in muscles
- muscle recruitment results in kinaesthetic feedback
- focus entirely on the cognitive level of skill learning
- increase focus/ attention/ concentration/ motivation
- improves confidence
- can be done when injured/ recovering
- improves results
- overcome problems
37
Disadvantages of mental rehearsal
- cannot replace physical preparation/ practice
- requires effort/ concentration/ focus
- requires belief
- not effective for simple skills
- requires specialist training for it to be fully effective
- can be tedious for some/ lowers performance
- overthinking can lead to anxiety
- incorrect knowledge can decrease performance
38
What are the practice methods
- part
- progressive part
- whole
- whole part whole
39
Whole part whole practice method
- skill (motor programme) performed as a ‘whole’- observation and feedback by coach
- broken down into sub-routines or ‘parts’ for technical instruction/ mastery
- re-performed as whole with improved sub-routines but performer can experience ‘timing’ issues when linking each sub-routine together in the correct order
- examples: triple jump, tennis serve, swimming stroke with at least one names sub-routine
40
Whole part whole practice method (more info)
- it involves presenting the skill as a whole, breaking it down into parts for focussed practice, and then reassembling it into the whole skill
- useful for complex skills that have multiple components but still need to be performed fluidly
Stages of whole-part-whole method
1. Whole- the learner first attempts or observes the entire skill to understand its overall structure and movement pattern
2. Part- the skill is broken down into smaller components, and the learner practices these separately to refine specific elements
3. Whole- the refined components are then reintegrated into the full skill, allowing the learner to perform it more effectively
Example- swimming butterfly stroke
Whole: the swimmer tries the full butterfly stroke
Part: they practice the arm movements, leg kick, and breathing technique separately
Whole: they then put all elements together for a smoother and more effective butterfly stroke
41
Advantages of whole-part-whole method
- helps learners see the bigger picture before refining details
- breaks down complex skills into manageable components
- allows focus on weaker elements before reintegration
- suitable for skills that require fluid motion and coordination
42
Disadvantages of whole-part-whole practice method
- disrupts skill fluency
- time consuming
- not suitable for highly continuous skills (e.g. cycling)
- difficult for beginners
- may lead to over reliance on isolated practice
- ineffective for simple skills (e.g. chest pass in netball)
43
Whole practice method
- it involves learning and practicing a skill in its entirety rather than breaking git down into smaller parts
- most effective for skills that require fluidity, rhythm or can’t be easily separated into distinct components
44
Characteristics of whole practice
- the skill is practiced as a complete movement from start to finish
- best for skills that are continuous or highly interdependent
- helps maintain fluency and kinesthetic awareness
- used for skills that are simple or well-learned
45
Example of whole practice method
Golf swing
- a golfer practices the full swing instead of isolating specific movements like the backswing or follow-through
- this ensures the movement retains smooth and coordinated
46
Advantages of whole practice
- maintains fluency and movement consistency
- helps learner develop a clear understanding of timing and coordination
- more realistic and game like, enhancing skill transfer
- useful for skills with high organisation (where breaking them down would disrupt the movement)
47
Disadvantages of whole practice
- can be overwhelming for beginners with complex skills
- errors may become ingrained if not corrected early
- requires good physical fitness and endurance for repeated practice
48
Progressive part practice method
- it involves learning a skill by breaking it down into smaller components and gradually linking them together until the full skill is performed
- useful for complex, serial skills that have multiple linked movements
49
Characteristics of progressive part practice
- the skill is divided into sub routines (smaller parts)
- each part is practiced separately before being progressively combined
- helps learners master each section before moving on to the next
- ideal for skills that require precision and coordination
50
Examples of progressive part practice method
Triple jump
- the hop phase is practiced first
- then the step phase is introduced and linked to the hop
- finally the jump is added allowing the athlete to perform the full sequence fluently
51
Advantages of progressive part practice
- helps build confidence by mastering smaller sections first
- reduces cognitive overload, making complex skills easier to learn
- allows error correction at each stage before progressing
- useful for dangerous skills (e.g. gymnastics) where gradual learning improves safety
52
Disadvantages of progressive part practice
- can disrupt fluency as skills are learned in sections rather than as a whole
- time consuming, especially for skills with many components
- some learners may struggle to transfer part-practiced movements into a smooth, whole performance
53
Part practice method
- it involves breaking a skill into separate sub routines and practicing each part in isolation before integrating them into the full movement
- this approach is useful for complex or dangerous skills that require precise execution
54
Characteristics of part practice
- focuses on mastering individual components of a skill before combining them
- reduces cognitive overload, making it easier to learn difficult movements
- ideal for low-organisation skills (where separate parts can be practiced independantly)
- used when a skill requires high accuracy or specific technique refinement
55
Examples of part practice method
Swimming stroke (breast stroke)
- the swimmer practices the leg kick separately
- then they practice the arm movement without kicking
- finally both are combined with breathing technique for the full stroke
56
Advantages of part practice
- reduces complexity by allowing focus on one element at a time
- helps with error correction in specific areas before full skill execution
- useful for dangerous skills where mistakes could cause injury (e.g. gymnastics, diving)
- effective for cognitive learners (beginners) who need to master basic movements before advancing
57
Disadvantages of part practice
- can disrupt fluency when combining parts into the whole skill
- some learners may struggle to transfer isolated parts into a coordinated full movement
- less effective for high organisation (e.g. sprinting) where breaking the movement disrupts the natural rhythm
