practice structures

Fixed practice

A specific movement pattern is practiced repeatedly aka ´drills´

´When should fixed practice be used

• closed skills

• Eg. Golf putt, penalty in football

Explain the use of fixed practice for team games

• used in drills to practice set tactics / plays the team uses

• Eg. Set pieces in football

• Demands a set response from a set stimulus

• Can condition environment to produce desired outcome

• Useful in high danger

Variable practice

Practicing a skill in a variety of different contexts and experiencing the full range if situations in which the technique or tactic may be used in competition

Variable practice

Practicing a skill in a variety of different contexts and experiencing the full range if situations in which the technique or tactic may be used in competition

When is variable practice used

• open skills

• eg. A conditioned football game where certain rules are applied so that players practice a specific skill more frequently and in changing scenarios

Advantages of mental practice

• reduced anxiety

• Aids psychological preparation

• Helps clarify goals

• Cognative level skill learning

Disadvantages of mental practice

Overthinking can lead to anxiety