Higher PE Principles of Effective Practice
Try to remember this…. S afe D rivers W ill C rash F ewer G olfs S tage (based on stage of learning) D ata (based on data collection) W ork to rest ratio C hallenging, but achievable F eedback orientated G oal directed
Based on Stage of Learning What: All practices must be appropriate for my stage of learning. Why: The learning environment must suit my needs, hence why I choose repetition and pressure drills. These methods produced the challenge necessary to encourage success and progress. Justify: For example, I am at the cognitive stage of learning when performing an overhead clear, therefore, I would not choose a conditioned game as a method of practice. This is far too complex at this stage of learning and would result in lots of errors, demotivation and lack of confidence. In contrast, if I was an automatic performer, I would not use a shadow practice, as this would be far too simple and cause boredom in my practice.
Based on Data Collection What: Practices must be based on results of data collection. Why: I had to set myself clear objectives of what I wanted to improve before creating my practices. I therefore analysed the results of my data collection to give focus and purpose to my practices. Justify: My objective in the overhead clear is that I need to improve movement to and from the shuttle plus improve my transfer of weight. All practices were built around these features to improve performance to the automatic stage. If I did not consider this principle, my practices would have no clear focus and would not help to eliminate the faults in my execution.
Work to Rest Ratio What: This is how long I would work and rest for in each practice. Why: When training to develop my OHC it was essential that I considered my work to rest ratio. This ensured I continued to work on skills and not fitness. I was therefore able to maintain focus and motivation through sharp, distributed practice, preventing skill deterioration due to fatigue. Justify: Example: In my repetition drill, I did 30 feeds and then rested fully before repeating another twice. If I had failed to consider this principle errors would creep into my practice and I would begin to repeat bad habits without correction. Controlling my recovery gave me the time to receive feedback and improve performance.
Challenging, but Achievable Progressive Practices What: All practices must be challenging enough, but achievable and progressive. Why: My practices had to provide me with enough challenge to sustain motivation but should be achievable to encourage success. Furthermore, they had to be progressive, so that as I improved, my practices became harder. Justify: If my practices were too easy, I would lose interest and boredom would creep in. In contrast, if they were too difficult, I would become demotivated. Each of my individual targets were realistic both in the long term and short term.
Feedback Orientated What: Practices must be feedback orientated Why: Feedback can be received both internally and externally and plays a crucial role in the learning and developing of any shot. Feedback was imbedded in all of my practices to gain the information necessary to constantly progress. Justify:Immediately after practice my teacher told me points of technique which I should focus. The information processing system is the key to improving performance. We retain what is necessary from the feedback our bodies receive to groove and make skills automatic. Without this no progress can be made.
Goal Directed What: All practices must have clear goals (long term and short term) Why: Target setting acts as a motivator and was a useful tool to assess my progress and adapt my training accordingly. Justify: For example my short term goal in my pressure drill was initially to get 10 out of 20 shuttles in the hoops at the back of the court with my long term goal to play the clear consistently and accurately when required in a game situation. Without these targets, my practice would lose focus and become aimless.
Homework Question Discuss the principles of effective practice you applied to your programme of work to ensure success. (6)