Which practice structure best develops a given skill?
The practice structures (massed, distributed, fixed and variable), and how to select the most relevant practice for a skill using its classification.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE PE on practice structures: massed, distributed, fixed and variable practice, their advantages and uses, and how to select the most relevant practice for a skill using its classification.
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What this dot point is asking
Edexcel wants you to describe the practice structures (massed, distributed, fixed and variable), explain their uses, and select the most relevant practice for a skill using its classification.
Massed and distributed practice
Fixed and variable practice
Selecting the right practice
The choice depends on the skill classification and the performer's level. A simple, closed skill drilled by a fit performer suits massed, fixed practice. A complex or dangerous skill, or a beginner who tires and needs feedback, suits distributed practice. An open skill that must be adapted in a game suits variable practice. Beginners generally need more rest and simpler conditions; experienced performers can handle massed practice and more variable, game-like conditions. Matching the practice to the skill and the learner is exactly the judgement the exam rewards.
How practice links to a skill's organisation
The practice also depends on how easily the skill breaks into parts, its organisation. A low-organisation skill has clearly separate parts, so it can be taught in parts and then put together, which suits a beginner because it avoids overload (for example learning the arm action and the leg action of a swimming stroke separately before combining them). A high-organisation skill flows as one continuous action that is hard to break up, so it is usually practised whole (a golf swing or a cartwheel would lose its rhythm if split).
So a coach reads the skill on all the continua at once: a simple, closed, low-organisation skill can be drilled in fixed, massed, part practice, while a complex, open, high-organisation skill needs distributed, variable, whole practice in game-like conditions. Joining the practice structure to the skill's classification and organisation, rather than choosing one in isolation, is what earns the higher marks.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of Pearson Edexcel exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Edexcel 20192 marksDefine massed practice and distributed practice.Show worked answer →
A Component 2 short-answer recall question. One mark per correct definition.
Award marks for: massed practice is continuous practice of a skill with little or no rest between attempts; distributed practice is practice broken up with rest periods between attempts.
A common error is to swap the two. Massed is continuous with no rest; distributed is spread out with rest.
Edexcel 20224 marksA coach is teaching a beginner a complex, dangerous skill (a trampoline somersault) and an experienced player an open game skill. Recommend a practice structure for each and justify your choices.Show worked answer →
A Component 2 application question, marks for the practice and the justification.
Award marks for: the complex, dangerous somersault for a beginner suits distributed practice (rest between attempts), because it is tiring and the rest prevents fatigue, reduces injury risk and lets the coach give feedback; the open game skill for an experienced player suits variable practice (changing conditions), because the player must learn to adapt the skill to the unpredictable situations of a game.
Linking distributed practice to fatigue and safety, and variable practice to adapting open skills, earns the marks.
Related dot points
- The classification of skills on the open-closed, basic-complex and low-high organisation continua, and the use of classification to plan practice.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE PE on skill classification: the open-closed, basic-complex (simple-complex) and low-high organisation continua, with sporting examples, and how classification is used to plan practice.
- The types of guidance (visual, verbal, manual, mechanical) and feedback (intrinsic, extrinsic, concurrent, terminal), their advantages and their use with performers of different levels.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE PE on guidance and feedback: the four types of guidance (visual, verbal, manual, mechanical) and four types of feedback (intrinsic, extrinsic, concurrent, terminal), their advantages, and which suit beginners and experts.
- The use of goal setting to improve and optimise performance, the SMART principles, and the value of each principle in setting and reviewing targets.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE PE on goal setting: how goals improve and optimise performance, the SMART principles (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time-bound), the value of each, and setting and reviewing targets.
- Mental preparation for performance through the warm-up and mental rehearsal, and how these techniques improve focus and performance.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE PE on mental preparation for performance: the role of the warm-up in mental readiness and the use of mental rehearsal, and how these techniques improve focus, confidence and performance.
- The training methods (continuous, Fartlek, circuit, interval, plyometric, weight and fitness classes), the components they develop, and their advantages and disadvantages.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE PE on training methods: continuous, Fartlek, circuit, interval, plyometric and weight training plus fitness classes, the component of fitness each develops, and their advantages and disadvantages.
Sources & how we know this
- Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Physical Education (1PE0) specification — Pearson Edexcel (2016)