Chapter 5 Stages of Learning & Design effective practice method (Speed-Accuracy Tradeoff)

What are the three stages of Fitts and Posner’s model of learning?

Cognitive Stage, Associative Stage, Autonomous Stage

What are the characteristics of the Cognitive Stage?

Learner is introduced to a new motor skill

• Tries multiple techniques and strategies

• Coach plays a key role in providing feedback and correcting errors

What are the characteristics of the Associative Stage?

Refinement of skill with fewer errors

• Learner becomes better at detecting and correcting mistakes

• Needs constructive practice and effective feedback

What are the characteristics of the Autonomous Stage?

Can perform skill proficiently and consistently

• Can multitask while performing

• Learner can detect and correct their own errors

• Coach acts as a motivator

Johnny is learning to head a soccer ball for the first time. What stage of learning is he in?

Cognitive Stage.

What is the coach's role in the autonomous stage of learning?

The coach acts as a motivator, providing support and encouragement while allowing the learner to perform independently.

What are the two stages of Gentile’s model?

Beginner Stage and Advanced Stage (Fixation/Diversification)

What happens in the Beginner Stage?

Learners try to understand movement requirements

Develop skills to focus on relevant information while ignoring distractions

What determines practice strategies in the Advanced Stage?

Closed Skills: Require Fixation (focus on regulatory conditions)

Open Skills: Require Diversification (adapt movement to changing environments)

What’s the difference between Fixation and Diversification?

Fixation: Focus on stable, predictable conditions (e.g., free throw)

Diversification: Adapt to unpredictable environments (e.g., guarding in soccer)

Should each skill use Fixation (F) or Diversification (D)?

• Free throw: F

• Guarding: D

• Sit-to-stand: F

• Gymnastics floor routine: F

• Uneven stairs: D

• Olympic diving: F

What are Task Complexity and Task Organization?

Task Complexity: Number of subcomponents in a skill

Task Organization: How connected subcomponents are

When should you use Whole vs. Part Practice?

Whole Practice: If skill has low complexity but high task organization (e.g., hitting a baseball)

Part Practice: If skill has high complexity but low task organization (e.g., braiding hair)

What does Fitts’ Law state?

Movement Time (MT) increases with:

• Increased Distance (A)

• Decreased Target Width (W)

• Formula: MT = a + b [Log2(2A/W)]

What is the speed-accuracy trade-off?

As movement speed increases, accuracy decreases due to higher force variability and control difficulty.

How does Schmidt’s Law explain the speed-accuracy trade-off?

Faster movements require more force

More force increases variability, leading to errors

Greater movement distance and speed make precise control harder

How does movement time (MT) change with increased accuracy demand?

Increased accuracy demand = longer MT (slower movement)

Decreased accuracy demand = shorter MT (faster movement)

How should coaches approach accuracy in early skill learning?

De-emphasize accuracy at first

Focus on movement speed and pattern before improving precision

What is temporal accuracy?

Accuracy in timing movements rather than spatial precision.

Does the speed-accuracy trade-off apply to temporal accuracy?

No! In temporal accuracy, moving faster improves timing accuracy rather than reducing it.

In what type of movements is temporal accuracy most crucial?

Fast, high-force movements with critical timing

• Examples:

  Smashing in table tennis

  Spiking a volleyball

  Punching in boxing

How does force level affect temporal accuracy?

When force exceeds 60-70% of max strength, faster movements improve accuracy.

• Example: A fast table tennis smash is more precise than a slow one.