Learning a New Skill

Skill Learning: Types of Practice3.3 The EventFour parts to teaching/learning a new skill:Instructing - instructions must be given for them to complete the task or skill. These may be written or verbal. The teacher must ensure the student knows what is required of themDemonstrating - The teacher may provide a demonstration of the skill or may get a peer to perform it. It is key that this is a good demonstration to allow the student to form a model in their memory and mentally rehearse the skill to be performedApplying - The student then practises the skill in a planned situation to help them transfer the learning from practise to a competitive situationConfirming - This centres on feedback and providing information for the student about how successful they have been. Testing or assessing the skill allows the teacher and the student to evaluate performance.2ApplicationAlthough this is the basis for teaching and learning of all skills but the coach/teacher must be able to apply this model appropriately to the learner they are working with:

There are Two key factors in determining types of practice in The session:Nature of the skill being taught/learned

Performers position on the skill acquisition spectrum (cognitive, associative, autonomous)Once the teacher/coach has assessed these two factors, they can then start developing sessions with the appropriate types of practice. 4Massed v Distributed practiceMassedDistributedContinuous form of practiceBest for simple skills or skills with low energy demands eg diving, turns, Good for highly motived athletes with high levels of concentrationCan risk developing bad habits if performer receives no feedback

Attempts at the skill are divided up with intervals in between.Best used in difficult, dangerous or fatiguing skills Good young/new learners or poorly motivated individualsCan use rest periods for extra feedback/ view video footage, reflection, mental rehearsal. Quality remains high as fatigue plays less of a role. Pg 232 Read blue boxes and complete questions 1a 1f. 5Whole v part learningWholePartThe skill is first demonstrated and then practised as a whole, from start to finish.It helps the learner to get a feel for the skill, timings and end product.It is best used for fast skills which cannot easily be separated into sub-routines, such as a javelin throw.It is unsuitable for people with low attention spans, complex or dangerous skills.

The parts of the skill are practised in isolation which is useful for complicated and serial skills and is good for maintaining motivation and focusing on specific elements of the skill. It is possible, however, that the transfer of the skills from parts, to a whole may not be effective and it may also reduce the kinaesthetic awareness (feel) for the full skill.

Pg 234 Read blue sections and answer questions. 6Whole-Part-Whole MethodThe whole skill is first demonstrated and practised, before being broken down into the constituent parts to practice the individual elements and improve on these, before putting the whole skill back together.This can be very effective in skills which have easily distinguished parts, where the whole skill together is complex. A good example comes in swimming, where the learner would practice the whole stroke, then isolate a weak component, such as the kick and use a float in the hands to ensure using only the legs, before putting the whole stroke back together.This gives the performer a sense of the whole skill before they break it down and improve on the weak aspects of the performance.As with the part method this may affect the transfer of the skill from parts to the whole.Pg 234 Read blue sections and answer questions.

7Progressive Part MethodThis is sometimes also known as the chaining method, as the parts of a skill are practised individually, in order, before being linked together and expanded.For example in the triple jump, the hop will be practised and learnt, before the skip is then practised and learnt. The two are then linked together. Finally the jump will be learnt individually and then tagged on the end of the skip.This is slow process but allows weaknesses to be targeted and for the performer to understand the relationship of the sub-routines.Pg 234 Read blue sections and answer questions.

8Drill v Problem SolvingDrill (Fixed)Problem Solving (Variable) Involves repeatedly practising a whole skill until it has been learned. (strengthen the motor programme). Very similar to massed practice.This type of practice is best with closed skills

Involves repeating a skill in varying situations. This is used best for open skills where decisions need to be made in a continually changing environment. For example a defending practice in basketball where the coach may set up drills and alter the starting position and involvement of attackers. This helps to build up schema (see motor learning theories) to use in game situations.Pg 235 Read/questions9Physical v mental practicePhysicalMentalTime spent on developing skills physically using the recognised types of practice:MassedDistributedWholePartDrill Problem Solving

The use of sport psychology practices to enhance performance:

Mental imageryMental practiceVisualisationRoutinesSelf TalkGoal Setting

Pg 235 Read/questions10MENTAL REHEARSALThis is done by picturing a performance in ones mind, and involves no physical practice. It consists of seeing the action in your mind, though it is sometimes regarded as also including viewing films, reading or listening to instructions.To obtain the maximum benefit Mental rehearsal should take place in the performance environmentThe action should be performed in its entirety where necessaryThe performance should be successfulThe performance should be practised immediately before a competitionThe actions imagined should take place at the same rate as the performanceThe athlete should imagine the feel of the action.

VisualisationSee hand outROUTINESRoutines are the rituals that competitors use in their preparation for an event, or in the game in their execution of a particular skill.Routines may involve complex and detailed rituals that involve preparation, detailed dressing rules, or precisely executed warm-ups. Part of this practised routine might involve specific sports psychology skills such as imagery, positive thinking, mood control and distraction and stress management.Experiment with developing a ritual that covers all points of preparation that you consider to be important. By practicing this ritual and keeping it standard in training, it will be automatic and complete when you face a potentially stressful competition. Attention is enhanced by through the development of routines. Routines take up wasted time between action. The ability to consistently repeat the same action, and avoid external distractions, leads to consistent successful repetition of a skill. SELF-TALKPositive self-talk is the process of eliminating negative thoughts and promoting constructive ones. Instead of dwelling on the negatives of an unfavorable situation, the athlete focuses on positives. "I don't swim well in 50m pools", is replaced by, "I have trained well and am prepared. Let's do it!".

GOAL SettingDiscussed at start of this unit. What is your:Outcome Goal?Process Goal?Performance Goal?Q. Is your training programme going to allow you to achieve these goals?

Task

Refer to your personal training programme sessions. What types of practice have you used? What worked? What didnt work? (Make your own specific and detailed notes on your session evaluations)