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HMS, BM 2013 HSC 19 MC

Who are part practice methods most appropriate for?

  1. Beginner athletes learning a new skill
  2. Beginner athletes applying a learned skill
  3. Experienced athletes solving a tactical problem
  4. Experienced athletes refining their kinaesthetic awareness
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\(A\)

Show Worked Solution
  • A is correct: Part practice breaks complex skills into manageable components for beginners.

Other Options:

  • B is incorrect: Applying learned skills requires whole practice in context.
  • C is incorrect: Tactical problems need whole practice for decision-making integration.
  • D is incorrect: Kinaesthetic refinement requires whole movement patterns, not parts.

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 583

Analyse how a coach should modify practice methods when transitioning an athlete from the associative to the autonomous stage of learning. Reference at least two practice methods in your response.   (8 marks)

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*Language that helps to highlight relationships and draw out implications is bolded throughout the answer below.

Overview Statement

  • Transitioning athletes from an associative to autonomous stage requires fundamental shifts in practice structure and environmental complexity.
  • These changes interact with feedback timing and duration patterns to create independent performers.

Part-to-Whole Practice Progression

  • The shift from part-to-whole practice is connected to the athlete’s development towards autonomous skill.
  • Associative tennis players practice separate swing phases while autonomous players execute complete serves.
  • This occurs because segmented skills must integrate into fluid movements.
  • Breaking down movements prevents smooth execution at higher levels.
  • Therefore, coaches progressively combine skill components as coordination improves.
  • This is due to whole practice requiring game-like performance.
  • In this way, athletes develop natural rhythm rather than mechanical movements.

Blocked to Random Practice Balance

  • Changing practice conditions directly influences how well skills adapt to different game situations.
  • The 70% blocked practice in associative stage transforms to 70% random practice for autonomous athletes.
  • For example, basketball players progress from tens of consecutive free throws to mixing shots with defensive moves.
  • This shift results from the need for unpredictable game-ready skills.
  • The relationship between consistency and adaptability determines practice design.
  • By this practice method, gradual randomisation prevents skill breakdown while simultaneously building flexibility.

Implications and Synthesis

  • These practice modifications form an integrated system where each element supports the others.
  • Environmental complexity combines with practice variability to create competition-ready athletes.
  • Delayed feedback enables self-assessment skills essential for autonomous performance.
  • The significance is that isolated changes fail without coordinated progression.
  • Coaches who systematically modify all practice elements achieve more successful transitions between the associative and autonomous stages of learning.
Show Worked Solution

*Language that helps to highlight relationships and draw out implications is bolded throughout the answer below.

Overview Statement

  • Transitioning athletes from an associative to autonomous stage requires fundamental shifts in practice structure and environmental complexity.
  • These changes interact with feedback timing and duration patterns to create independent performers.

Part-to-Whole Practice Progression

  • The shift from part-to-whole practice is connected to the athlete’s development towards autonomous skill.
  • Associative tennis players practice separate swing phases while autonomous players execute complete serves.
  • This occurs because segmented skills must integrate into fluid movements.
  • Breaking down movements prevents smooth execution at higher levels.
  • Therefore, coaches progressively combine skill components as coordination improves.
  • This is due to whole practice requiring game-like performance.
  • In this way, athletes develop natural rhythm rather than mechanical movements.

Blocked to Random Practice Balance

  • Changing practice conditions directly influences how well skills adapt to different game situations.
  • The 70% blocked practice in associative stage transforms to 70% random practice for autonomous athletes.
  • For example, basketball players progress from tens of consecutive free throws to mixing shots with defensive moves.
  • This shift results from the need for unpredictable game-ready skills.
  • The relationship between consistency and adaptability determines practice design.
  • By this practice method, gradual randomisation prevents skill breakdown while simultaneously building flexibility.

Implications and Synthesis

  • These practice modifications form an integrated system where each element supports the others.
  • Environmental complexity combines with practice variability to create competition-ready athletes.
  • Delayed feedback enables self-assessment skills essential for autonomous performance.
  • The significance is that isolated changes fail without coordinated progression.
  • Coaches who systematically modify all practice elements achieve more successful transitions between the associative and autonomous stages of learning.

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 580

Explain how a basketball coach could use the whole-part-whole method to teach an effective jump shot to high school athletes.   (4 marks)

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Sample Answer

  • The coach first demonstrates the complete jump shot and has athletes practice it (whole). Such demonstration allows students to understand the overall movement and objective.
  • Next, they identify specific technique issues and breaks the skill into components. These include foot positioning, ball grip, arm extension and follow-through (part).
  • The coach then provides separate practice sessions for each component with specific feedback. Individual practice enables targeted improvement of specific weaknesses.
  • After component mastery, the coach reintegrates the full jump shot movement (whole). Full integration ensures smooth transitions between all elements.
  • This coaching approach is effective because it provides context before component practice. Athletes consequently synthesise improved parts into refined whole movements.
Show Worked Solution

Sample Answer 

  • The coach first demonstrates the complete jump shot and has athletes practice it (whole). Such demonstration allows students to understand the overall movement and objective.
  • Next, they identify specific technique issues and breaks the skill into components. These include foot positioning, ball grip, arm extension and follow-through (part).
  • The coach then provides separate practice sessions for each component with specific feedback. Individual practice enables targeted improvement of specific weaknesses.
  • After component mastery, the coach reintegrates the full jump shot movement (whole). Full integration ensures smooth transitions between all elements.
  • This coaching approach is effective because it provides context before component practice. Athletes consequently synthesise improved parts into refined whole movements.

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 579

Outline the benefits of whole practice for an athlete in the autonomous stage of learning.   (3 marks)

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Sample Answer

  • Whole practice suits autonomous-stage athletes who have already mastered individual components and can effectively integrate all skill elements simultaneously, maintaining natural flow and timing.
  • Autonomous learners possess the ability to handle complex integrated movements, allowing them to refine the entire skill sequence under competition-like conditions.
  • This practice method enables autonomous athletes to focus on strategic applications and performance optimisation rather than basic technique development.
Show Worked Solution

Sample Answer 

  • Whole practice suits autonomous-stage athletes who have already mastered individual components and can effectively integrate all skill elements simultaneously, maintaining natural flow and timing.
  • Autonomous learners possess the ability to handle complex integrated movements, allowing them to refine the entire skill sequence under competition-like conditions.
  • This practice method enables autonomous athletes to focus on strategic applications and performance optimisation rather than basic technique development.

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 577

To what extent should practice methods be modified based on the characteristics of the learner and the nature of the skill being taught. In your response, refer to at least two different practice methods.   (8 marks)

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Position Statement:

  • Practice methods should be modified to a significant extent based on learner characteristics and skill nature.
  • This extensive modification is justified by attention span differences, skill complexity variations, and physical demands.

Strongest Evidence:

  • Learner characteristics fundamentally alter practice effectiveness.
  • Children with short attention spans require distributed practice with frequent breaks, while motivated adults thrive with 45-minute massed sessions.
  • Young tennis players need 10-minute skill blocks versus adults managing continuous practice.
  • Skill nature equally demands major modifications.
  • Open skills like basketball require random practice for decision-making development.
  • Closed skills like golf putting need blocked practice for consistency.
  • High-fatigue activities like sprinting mandate distributed practice regardless of learner type.

Limitations:

  • Some standardised elements can remain consistent across learners.
  • Basic safety protocols and fundamental movement patterns apply universally.
  • However, these limited similarities are overshadowed by the need for individualisation.
  • Even when teaching the same skill, a nervous beginner requires part practice while a confident learner benefits from whole practice.
  • Physical maturity, prior experience, and cognitive ability create such diverse learning needs that significant modification becomes essential.

Reaffirmation:

  • The evidence overwhelmingly supports significant practice modification.
  • Coaches who extensively adapt methods based on learner traits and skill demands achieve superior outcomes.
  • Therefore, practice methods must be modified to a significant extent, progressing from part/blocked for beginners to whole/random for advanced learners.
Show Worked Solution

Position Statement:

  • Practice methods should be modified to a significant extent based on learner characteristics and skill nature.
  • This extensive modification is justified by attention span differences, skill complexity variations, and physical demands.

Strongest Evidence:

  • Learner characteristics fundamentally alter practice effectiveness.
  • Children with short attention spans require distributed practice with frequent breaks, while motivated adults thrive with 45-minute massed sessions.
  • Young tennis players need 10-minute skill blocks versus adults managing continuous practice.
  • Skill nature equally demands major modifications.
  • Open skills like basketball require random practice for decision-making development.
  • Closed skills like golf putting need blocked practice for consistency.
  • High-fatigue activities like sprinting mandate distributed practice regardless of learner type.

Limitations:

  • Some standardised elements can remain consistent across learners.
  • Basic safety protocols and fundamental movement patterns apply universally.
  • However, these limited similarities are overshadowed by the need for individualisation.
  • Even when teaching the same skill, a nervous beginner requires part practice while a confident learner benefits from whole practice.
  • Physical maturity, prior experience, and cognitive ability create such diverse learning needs that significant modification becomes essential.

Reaffirmation:

  • The evidence overwhelmingly supports significant practice modification.
  • Coaches who extensively adapt methods based on learner traits and skill demands achieve superior outcomes.
  • Therefore, practice methods must be modified to a significant extent, progressing from part/blocked for beginners to whole/random for advanced learners.

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 573 MC

A swimming coach is teaching the butterfly stroke using the following approach:

  • First, students practice just the dolphin kick with a kickboard
  • Next, they practice the arm movement while standing in shallow water
  • Then, they practice the breathing technique separately
  • Finally, they attempt to combine all elements into the complete stroke

For which stage of learning would this part practice approach be MOST appropriate?

  1. Cognitive stage
  2. Associative stage
  3. Autonomous stage
  4. Elite stage
Show Answers Only

\(A\)

Show Worked Solution
  • A is correct: Cognitive stage learners need skills broken into parts

Other Options:

  • B is incorrect: Associative learners combine part and whole practice
  • C is incorrect: Autonomous learners use whole method
  • D is incorrect: “Elite stage” not a recognised learning stage

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 570 MC

A novice gymnast is learning a complex balance beam routine. Her coach breaks down the routine into smaller segments, having her practise the mount first, then the middle section, and finally the dismount, before attempting the entire routine.

This is an example of which practice method?

  1. Massed practice
  2. Part practice
  3. Random practice
  4. Blocked practice
Show Answers Only

\(B\)

Show Worked Solution
  • B is correct: Part practice involves breaking complex skills into smaller components

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Massed practice is continuous with minimal breaks
  • C is incorrect: Random practice mixes different skills unpredictably
  • D is incorrect: Blocked practice repeats one skill before moving to another