Lesson
Practice - How To - continued
BLOCKED vs RANDOM PRACTICE applies when multiple tasks to be learned
– What if only a single task to be learned? Use constant conditions? Use variable practice?
– VARIABLE practice allows the learner to transfer learning not encountered in practice
– VARIABLE practice helps develops a “schema” or rule which relates environmental
conditions such as distance of desired ball travel, to force and trajectory requirements,
muscle movement and the outcomes associated with movement
– The skill level of a person must be considered before deciding upon blocked or variable
practice
– Once a beginner has mastered the basics of a skill through CONSTANT PRACTICE, the
next step is to use VARIABLE PRACTICE to develop the SCHEMAs required
for the actual sport
WHOLE vs PART PRACTICE
– Should a complex new skill be presented all at once or divided into smaller
meaningful units, that can be practiced separately then combined to a whole?
– A coach should decide between WHOLE, PART, PROGRESSIVE PART (practice 2 parts,
combine, practice 3rd part and add to first two), REPETITIVE PART (practice 1 part, then add
second part to it and practice both together). Depends on skill complexity and student level.