Types of Practice

Overview of Practice Types

The methodical practice of skill development in sport can take various forms.
Each type of practice has distinct advantages and is suitable for different stages of learning, types of skills, and sport contexts.
The types of practice are massed, distributed, variable, and constant, and can be further classified into part, whole, or progressive-part methods.

Massed Practice

Massed practice involves reinforcing a skill through continuous practice, without any significant breaks.
This approach is more suited for simple skills, or for individuals who are more advanced in the skill.
Because of its intensity and repetitive nature, it can lead to fatigue and may not be ideal for activities that require high levels of physical exertion or complex skills.

Distributed Practice

Distributed practice incorporates breaks or other types of learning in between practice sessions.
It allows for recovery and reflection, which can be beneficial in learning and retaining complex skills.
This method allows for a more thoughtful approach to skill acquisition and reduces the risk of fatigue and overuse injuries.

Variable Practice

Variable practice entails the practice of skills in a variety of contexts or conditions.
It is especially beneficial for open skills, those that are performed in unpredictable environments such as team or racket sports.
This type of practice allows athletes to adapt and apply their skills to different scenarios, thus improving their overall performance.

Constant Practice

Constant practice focuses on drilling one particular skill in a constant, predictable manner.
It is most effective for closed skills, those that are performed in unchanging environments, like shooting in basketball or gymnastics.
This type of practice encourages the perfecting of a single move or technique, which may not be ideal for improving adaptability and decision-making ability.

Part, Whole, and Progressive-Part Methods

The part method involves breaking down skills into parts and practicing them individually before combining them for the complete skill.
The whole method consists of practicing the complete skill in order to master it.
The progressive-part method is a combination of the two, where parts of a skill are progressively added together until the entire skill is mastered.
The choice between these methods depends on the nature of the skill. Complex, easily segmented skills may benefit from the part or progressive-part method, while simple or hard-to-segment skills may be best practiced with the whole method.

Remember, the selection of a particular method of practice should take into account the nature of the skill, the expertise level of the performer, and the context within which the skill will be executed. Varying types of practice can also result in more well-rounded skill development.