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This lesson covers the four types of practice as required by the Edexcel GCSE PE specification (1PE0 — Topic 3: Sports Psychology). Understanding the differences between massed, distributed, fixed and variable practice — and knowing when each should be used — is essential. This is a topic that is unique to the Edexcel specification and is not covered in the same way by AQA or OCR, so make sure you know the Edexcel-specific detail.
graph TD
P["Types of Practice"] --> M["Massed Practice"]
P --> D["Distributed Practice"]
P --> F["Fixed Practice"]
P --> V["Variable Practice"]
M --> M1["Continuous repetition<br/>No rest intervals"]
D --> D1["Practice with rest<br/>intervals or breaks"]
F --> F1["Same skill repeated<br/>in the same way"]
V --> V1["Same skill practised<br/>in different situations"]
style P fill:#2c3e50,color:#fff
style M fill:#2980b9,color:#fff
style D fill:#27ae60,color:#fff
style F fill:#8e44ad,color:#fff
style V fill:#e67e22,color:#fff
style M1 fill:#3498db,color:#fff
style D1 fill:#2ecc71,color:#fff
style F1 fill:#9b59b6,color:#fff
style V1 fill:#f39c12,color:#fff
Definition: Massed practice involves continuous repetition of a skill without rest intervals until the skill is learned or the session ends.
The performer repeats the skill over and over again, with no breaks between attempts. The idea is that the sheer volume of repetition helps the skill become automatic — it is drilled into muscle memory.
A tennis player practises 200 serves in a row without a break. Each serve follows the same routine: toss, swing, hit, collect ball, serve again.
| Suitable When... | Reason |
|---|---|
| The skill is simple (basic) | Simple skills do not require much decision-making, so the performer can maintain concentration through many repetitions |
| The performer is experienced/motivated | Experienced performers have the fitness and motivation to sustain long periods of practice without fatigue causing poor technique |
| The skill needs to become automatic (habitual) | Continuous repetition builds motor programmes — the brain "grooves" the movement pattern |
| The performer is physically fit | Massed practice is demanding; a fatigued performer will lose technique, which is counterproductive |
Definition: Distributed practice involves practice sessions with rest intervals or breaks between attempts or groups of attempts.
The performer practises the skill, then takes a break. During the break, they might receive feedback from a coach, discuss the performance, perform mental rehearsal, or simply recover before the next attempt.
A gymnast practises a vault, then has a two-minute break to receive feedback and mentally rehearse before the next attempt. They perform 10 vaults over a 30-minute session with rest between each.
| Suitable When... | Reason |
|---|---|
| The performer is a beginner | Beginners need time to process information, receive feedback and recover between attempts |
| The skill is complex or dangerous | Complex skills require concentration; rest intervals prevent mental fatigue and allow information processing |
| The performer has low fitness | Rest intervals prevent physical fatigue from degrading technique |
| Feedback is needed between attempts | The rest interval gives the coach time to provide guidance and the performer time to reflect |
| The performer is young | Young performers have shorter concentration spans and tire more easily |
Definition: Fixed practice involves repeating the same skill in the same way, under the same conditions, each time.
The performer practises a specific skill in a predictable, unchanging environment. The technique, the situation and the conditions remain the same throughout the practice session.
A netball goal shooter stands in the same spot in the shooting circle and takes 50 shots from the same position, using the same technique each time.
| Suitable When... | Reason |
|---|---|
| The skill is closed (towards the closed end of the continuum) | Closed skills are performed in a stable environment, so fixed practice replicates the conditions of the real performance |
| The performer is a beginner | Beginners benefit from repeating the same movement in the same conditions to build a motor programme without distractions |
| The goal is to build consistency | By removing variation, the performer can focus entirely on perfecting technique |
| The skill is simple (basic) | Simple skills benefit from repetitive drilling under consistent conditions |
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