1. Stages of Learning & Methods of Practise
30/10/14

2. Recap- In Groups 3/4
What are the 3 stages of learning and the main differences between them?
Why is it important to choose a method of practise appropriate to your stage of learning?

3. Methods of Practise
It is crucial to remember that only certain methods of practise are appropriate at certain stages of learning.
Therefore when devising a training programme you must pick practises appropriate to your stage of learning.

4. Methods of Practise- Planning Stage
Shadow practice
Involves rehearsing the movement required for the action. The performer is getting used to the movement and can perform it in slow motion to 'groove' the technique.
Skill in Isolation
Performing a skill or practice on your own to help reinforce the movement or routine.

5. Methods of Practise- Practice Stage
Drills
Training exercises (drills) that repeat a particular skill over and over. The intention is to make the skill more natural and automatic. This method eliminates the distraction of the game and other skills. Be careful of fatigue and boredom. Combination drills link more than one skill together in a repeated sequence making it slighty more game like.

6. Methods of Practise- Practice Stage
Repetition - Training exercises (drills) that repeat a particular skill over and over (note: repetition can be used with all types of practice). The intention is to make the skill more natural and automatic. This method eliminates the distraction of the game and other skills. Be careful of fatigue and boredom.
Feeder/Isolated - Involves a helper to repeatedly play a ball/shuttle into a particular area on the court/pitch, to allow a performer to practice a particular skill. Enables performer to concentrate on one specific technique at a time. Will improve preparation, action and recovery.
Target - This involves trying to hit the shuttle to various target areas on the court. A point system is often used here, ie highest points if you hit the target area.
Combination - This involves combining several shots together to form a sequence of movements. For example, high serve, overhead clear, smash. Or high serve, overhead clear, drop shot, net shot.

7. Methods of Practise- Automatic Stage
Pressure training
Once a skill has been practiced and the basic movements and criteria established, different types of demands (pressure) can be added to further improve the skill. For example the speed at which the movements have to be repeated, the physical demands of the skill or the level of opposition.
Conditioned Games
In order to improve a skill the normal rules of a game can be changed so that the skill being learned occurs more often or has greater importance.

8. Task
Devise a training session for the overhead clear for someone in between the cognitive and the associative stages of learning.
The session should last 40mins.
Remember to pick practises appropriate to the stage of learning.