Types and Methods of Practice

Part practice

• working on an isolated sub-routine with the aim of perfecting it

• low organisation skills

• skills which are complex and dangerous

• allows performers to make sense of a skill, gaining confidence to learn each element

• reduces the possibility of overload

• Example = practicing the backswing in a tennis serve

Whole practice

• skills being taught without being broken down into sub-routines

• used with skills which are high organisation and need to be taught as a whole

• allows the performer to develop kinaesthesis

• Example = golf swing

Whole part whole practice

• practising the skill as a whole, then practising isolated sub-routines, the practising the whole skill again

• used with serial or low organisation skills, where sub-routines have distinct features

• used to recognise strengths and weaknesses then correcting errors in that specific skill

• develops kinaesthesis

• Example = swimming - then practising the leg kick, then everything all together again

Progressive part practice

• skills are taught in sub-routines, then the sub-routines are chained together

• used with complex skills - reduces information load

• used with serial and low-organisation skills

• allows the performer to learn links between sub-routines and transfer these into the whole skill

• Example = gymnastics floor routine

Varied pracitce

• a specific skill is practised in many different environments

• used with open skills

• allows practise conditions to be as real as possible

• allows different experiences to be stored in the athlete’s long erm memory, so it can be used during competitions

Massed practice

• practice sessions with very short rest intervals

• good for discrete skills with a short duration

• useful for highly motivated performers with good fitness levels

• long sessions are used when the coach want to simulate elements of fatigue

Distributed practice

• practice sessions with rest intervals or time doing a different activity

• used with continuous skills and complex or dangerous skills

• useful for cognitive learners, and performers with little motivation and fitness

• rest intervals allow the learner to receive and apply feedback, and maintains motivation

Fixed practice

• a specific skill or movement pattern is practised repeatedly in a stable environment, with predictable conditions

• used with closed skills which require specific movement patterns to become overlearned

• to prepare for events where conditions never change

• allows the skill to become habitual and automatic