Types and Methods of Practice

• What is the part method in skill acquisition?

  A method often used when a skill can be split into sub-routines.
• What is the whole-part-whole practice method?

  The performer attempts the whole skill, practices it in parts, and then puts it together again to practice as a whole.
• Why is the part method useful for complex skills?

  It allows the performer to understand the skill and achieve initial success with basic movements first.
• What is massed practice characterized by?

  Very short or no rest intervals in the session, making it continuous.
• Why is the whole-part-whole practice method suited to serial and low-organisation skills?

  Because sub-routines have distinct features that can be practiced separately.
• In which scenario would the part method be particularly beneficial?

  When learning a dangerous skill.
• How does distributed practice differ from massed practice?

  Distributed practice involves relatively long rests between trials.
• How does the part method help build a performer's confidence?

  By allowing them to learn each element of the skill separately before combining them.
• In which sports might the whole-part-whole practice method be effectively used?

  In sports like triple jump and basketball lay-up.
• What type of activities can be included during rest intervals in distributed practice?

  Tasks that are unrelated to the main practice activity, such as playing table tennis.
• Why is the part method particularly useful for serial skills?

  It helps the performer understand the technique better and increases their confidence of success.
• How do coaches utilize the whole-part-whole practice method?

  Coaches use it to identify strengths and weaknesses in performance and construct practices to correct errors or reinforce correct movements.
• Why should rest periods not involve activities that could lead to negative transfer?

  Because they could hinder the learning process and performance.
• What advantage does the part method provide when practicing aspects of a skill that are causing trouble?

  It allows focused practice on specific elements that need improvement.
• What does the performer gain from the whole-part-whole practice method?

  The performer gains a feel or fluency of the skill and starts to appreciate the kinesthesis involved.
• What are the different methods of skill acquisition mentioned?

  • Part method
  • Whole method
  • Whole-part-whole method
  • Progressive-part method
  • Massed practice
  • Distributed practice
  • Fixed practice
  • Varied practice
• What is the progressive-part method also known as?

  It is often referred to as 'chaining'.
• What do many experienced performers use the intervals between activities for?

  Mental rehearsal practice.
• Which practice method is generally considered better according to research?

  Distributed practice is generally best.
• How does the progressive-part method work in breaststroke?

  The leg action is practiced separately from the arm action, allowing for simpler attention demands before combining them.
• What negative effects can massed practice have on performance?

  It can lead to poor performance and hinder the learning process due to fatigue and demotivation.
• When might massed practice be beneficial?

  It may help learning discrete skills as they are relatively short in duration.
• What is the process of learning in the progressive-part method?

  The performer learns one link at a time, practices them together, and continues adding links until the whole skill is practiced.
• Why is distributed practice preferred for learning continuous skills?

  Because the player rapidly becomes tired during continuous skills.
• Why is distributed practice important for potentially dangerous tasks?

  It ensures that physical and mental fatigue doesn’t negatively affect performance and put the performer in danger.
• How does the progressive-part method help learners remember the links between subroutines?

  It helps learners understand the complete movement and the relationship between various subroutines.
• What are the key features of the whole-part-whole practice method?

  • Attempts the whole skill first
  • Practices skill in parts/sub-routines
  • Puts the skill together again
  • Suited for serial & low-organisation skills
  • Helps identify strengths & weaknesses
  • Develops kinesthesis and fluency
• What characterizes fixed practice?

  A stable and predictable practice environment where conditions remain unchanging.
• What is a motor programme?

  A generalised series of movements stored in long-term memory and retrieved by a single decision
• For which type of skills is fixed practice suitable?

  Closed skills where the environment doesn’t affect skill execution much.
• What are the steps involved in the progressive-part method?

  1. Break down the serial skill into subroutines (links of a chain)
  2. Learn one link at a time
  3. Practice the first and second links together
  4. Add a third link and practice all together
  5. Continue until the whole skill is practiced
• How does fixed practice help in skill learning?

  It enables habitual movements to be learned effectively with few other stimuli interfering.
• What are the key features of the 'whole' method in skill teaching?

  • A skill is taught without breaking it down into sub-routines/parts
  • Provides a true kinaesthetic sense for the skill
  • Facilitates positive transfer from practice to real situations
  • Promotes fluent execution and appreciation of movement relationships
  • Suitable for quick and continuous skills
• Give an example of fixed practice.

  A badminton player repeatedly practicing the short flick serve into the opponent’s service box.
• Why is the 'whole' method beneficial for quick and continuous skills?

  Because the components of the skill interact closely with one another
• What does varied practice involve?

  A range of practice experiences.
• How does varied practice benefit a performer?

  It allows relevant experiences to be stored in long-term memory and used to modify motor programs in the future.
• How does the 'whole' method help players in executing skills?

  It helps players execute skills fluently and appreciate the relationships between each part of the movement
• Why must practice conditions resemble the true life situation for closed skills?

  To ensure effective skill execution in real scenarios.
• What is a practical example of the 'whole' method in action?

  A golf swing, where the motor programme is built up through practicing the swing as a whole