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Aspects Of Practice

The Skill The characteristics of the skill involved can determine the

type of practice needed. Skills are classified as either gross or openGross skill: skills engage larger muscle groups than fine skills, cause fatigue, best taught with rests built into training.Open skill: skills need to be adaptable and practiced in varied situationsDiscrete skill: best taught as a wholeComplex skill: needs to be broken down in smaller parts.

The Learner When teaching a learner you must take into account

their past experiences, personality, motivation and fitness.

Furthermore age, gender, ability and cognitive processes all need to be taken into account.

For example: the language and techniques used to teach pre-school non-swimmers would be very different to that used in adult learn to swim classes despite the fact that they are both beginners.

The Coach The coach is an individual with their own likes, dislikes,

knowledge, beliefs and strategies. A good coach will include variety in their approach to

individuals, training, drills and feedback in an effort to maximise the learning of each of their athletes.

The Environment The situation in which the skill is performed in will influence

the choice of practice session for the athlete. The environment not only refers to the physical environment

(example, indoors/outdoors) but also to the size of the group (of athletes), the availability of equipment and the weather (fine and sunny/windy and raining).

A coach could plan the best session but if he only has one ball or it pours rain or the gym is too small the session will not work effectively.

Safety

Practice sessions should always include warm up and cool down.

Protective equipment should be worn if needed (e.g. shoulder pads, mouth-guard)

Coaches must put into place safety rules. Progression: learners should only attempt new skills that

they are capable of achieving and only under coaches' supervision.

Safety is of vital importance!