Fixed practice involves repetition of an activity leading to automatic responses. The movement becomes second nature, ideal for non-adaptive skills always the same. This could be a basketball player practicing a set shot who will shoot several balls over and over again trying to get it through the hoop. This is a closed skill. Variable practice involves a variety of activities and situations. The learner applies the skill to a number of different environments. In practice one learns to apply it to a range of different circumstances i.e. starting with a football and moving it from side to side whilst stationary, then at walking pace, then running and finally adding defenders in which to beat. This is known as an open skill. It tests out what abilities we have.
A skill can be self paced i.e. the performer has complete control over the rate at which the action takes place. This is because there is no external environment so the player is free to execute the move when they like A practice could be externally paced i.e. controlled by an outside instigator.
Barbara Knapp recognised two basic classifications of skills. She suggested that skills can be placed on a continuum between open and closed. Sports such as Basketball, Football, and Hockey usually involve open skills. This is because the environment is constantly changing and so movements have to be continually adapted. Therefore, skills are predominantly perceptual. The skill is mostly externally paced, for example a pass in football. To practice open skills you would tend to use a externally paced exercise as this would create a match-like situation by putting you under pressure, Closed skills are those that take place in a stable, predictable environment and the performer knows exactly what to do and when. Therefore, skills are not affected by the environment and tend to be habitual. Movements follow set patterns and have a clear beginning and end i.e. a set shot in basketball and swimming. For skills such as these you could use a self paced exercise as the performer has control over what he is doing.
The organisation of a practice session will depend greatly on those involved and the activity being practiced. Depending on the amount of experience, the skill level and the performer’s fitness, practice may be organised in two ways; massed and distributed. A massed practice is practiced until learnt without taking a break. These sessions are good for athletes with high level of fitness and experience and are most suited to fixed practice. Distributed practice is interspersed with breaks which can either be rest or another skill. These sessions are good for athletes with lower levels of fitness and experience and are most suited to variable practice
There are various methods of teaching a new skill. The pure-part method breaks the skill down into smaller parts, which are learnt separately and practiced until they have been perfected. All of the parts are then joined together to perform the whole skill. If you were practicing swimming you could break the stroke down into various drills. You could also use floats to concentrate on the arms and legs individually.
As ability is innate, we an enhance it. Working on muscular strength in your legs can enhance speed and hand/eye co-ordination can be improved by special methods, which have been put forward by experts on the subject. And also that certain coaching methods can improve an athletes overall ability. The idea that skill equals ability plus technique is the perfect way to describe how to be able to achieve a particular skill. However there are a number of different aspects which come into consideration when performing a skill and being successful at that skill. Skills can be enhanced easily through training, as long as the athlete's technique, ability and the type of skill that is being trained have all been taken into account, before setting up a training program
Overall skill is developed by having good ability and having technique that suits your body and mind, with a thought out training programs to suit you.
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Bibliography – Advanced PE (Galligan)
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