Number 3: Practice Methodology to Create Transfer

Somehow against all odds, in the year 2021, there is still an unhealthy amount of reliance on blocked and constant practice within the practice environment. Research has continuously provided evidence that randomised, variable practice is more beneficial for the learning process than constant or blocked practice.

Learning may have various definitions depending on who you speak with, however what is consistent is that in order to assess whether someone has actually learned, we need to see a change in their behaviour. This requires a level of retention (of the information that they have received) and transfer (application of that information in a different context or medium).

The studies show that randomised and variable practices increase retention and transfer. One of the reasons is that variable and randomised practice require the learner to be actively engaged within the learning environment. The learner is not able to switch on to autopilot and coast through the practice segment.

The main point of our practices is to provide our players with the skills and concepts they need, so that they can be performed within game environment. This means that we want our athletes to be able retain the information that is being taught and then be able to transfer this information from a practice to a game environment. Randomised and variable practice methods are better for us to achieve our objectives.

ALSO IN THIS SERIES:

1. Using Theories & Models
2. Adding Context to Snapshots