What are the 4 types of practice in sport?

There are 5 methods of practice that are used to practice and learn skills:

1. Fixed practice
2. Massed practice 
3. Distributed practice 
4. Varied practice
5. Mental rehearsal 

Fixed Practice:

• Fixed practice is when the same movement skill is practiced over and over again, and the environment doesn’t change. 
• This happens over a number of practice sessions.
• These are good for closed skills, and self-paced skills, as here the environment has no impact, and when the performer chooses when to perform the skill.
• For example a basketball free throw could be practiced using this method, as the player chooses when to take the shot, and it is always in the same situation each time.

  
Advantages of fixed practice:

• Improves consistency of closed and Self-paced skills.
• The environment never changes, allowing the performer to replicate the same technique every time.
• It can help to reduce pressure on the performer during a competitive situation.

Disadvantages of fixed practice: 

• Can become boring and repetitive for the performer, and decrease levels of motivation.

Massed Practice:

• Massed practice is when one skill is practiced repetitively without breaks.
• This practice method is most appropriate for closed and self-paced skills, similarly to fixed practice. 
• As there are no breaks, the fitness of the performer must be taken into account when deciding how long the sessions will be.
• For example, a tennis player may practice his serve by this method, as he can keep practicing in the same environment, at his own pace.

  
Advantages of massed practice:

• Can help improve the consistency of skills, and move them into the autonomous phase of learning.
• Appropriate to closed and self-paced skills.

Disadvantages of massed practice:

• Can be boring and demotivating for the performer, as it is very repetitive.
• As there are no breaks there is no extrinsic feedback from a coach.
• The quality of training may deteriorate as the performer becomes increasingly fatigued.

Distributed Practice:

• This is when there are breaks during the training session.
• This allows the performer to rest, and receive extrinsic feedback from a coach for example, or from a video.
• This method of practice is most useful for continuous skills, but can be applied to almost any skill type.
• For example, a  100m runner could run 100m then go back to a coach to receive feedback on how to improve technique.

  
Advantages of distributed practice:

• Can receive extrinsic feedback from a coach between performances.
• Performer can rest and recover, both physically and mentally.
• Having intervals allows for mental rehearsal.

Disadvantages of distributed practice:

• Time may be managed ineffectively so the rest interval is longer than the working interval.
• It can be time consuming.
• May be boring and demotivating for the individual.

Varied practice

https://prezi.com/m/umuitxwfbmot/varied-practice/

Mental Rehearsal

• This is when the performer visualises the skill in their head, before they carry out the skill.
• This can help to reinforce the correct motor programmes, without actually carrying out the movement skill.
• Mental rehearsal can help to build up confidence in a performer.
• For example, a gymnast may mentally rehearse a somersault before they actually do it.

Share this:

• Twitter

• Facebook

Like

Loading...

Massed Practice

Massed practice involves repeating the skill or action on numerous occasions with few or no rest periods. This practice is suited to the repetition of simple skills; especially those with short movement times. A darts player can practice for many hours without a great deal of fatigue to the muscles involved.

Some skills can only be developed using massed practice by fitter and older participants (but not too old). Massed practice is similar to fixed practice (see below) and will allow skills to become habitual and ‘over learned’ with a strong development of motor programmes (the 'pattern' of the movement). Disadvantages of massed practice are that is does not always allow time for feedback and if carried out with tiring skills the increase in fatigue could lead boredom or injury. There is also a risk that the skill is unlearnt. For example a fatigued performer may change their technique slightly (maybe to relieve the stress on a sore muscle) and this new movement pattern replaces the previous correct one.