Overview
This lecture covers the science of motor learning, focusing on the differences between block and random practice, and explains why random practice leads to better skill retention and transfer to real game situations.
Key Concepts in Motor Learning
- Motor learning studies how people acquire skills through practice.
- Practice performance is immediate improvement seen during a drill or practice session.
- Real learning is measured by retention and transfer—how much improvement persists into future sessions or actual games.
- Retention refers to skill improvements that last over time.
- Transfer measures how well skills learned in practice apply to game situations.
Components of Skill
- Skill consists of three parts: reading (recognizing and anticipating), planning (choosing actions), and doing (technique/execution).
- Technique is critical but only one-third of skill; reading and planning are equally important.
- In any sport, successful performance requires quickly reading the situation, planning a response, and executing the action.
Block Practice vs. Random Practice
- Block practice involves repeating the same action multiple times under identical conditions.
- Random practice mixes varied tasks and conditions, requiring different responses every time.
- Studies show block practice leads to better short-term practice performance.
- Random practice produces greater retention and transfer, resulting in improved real-world performance.
- Random practice requires more reading and planning, closely mimicking actual game situations.
Application and Coaching Implications
- Coaches often favor block practice for visible quick improvement during practice.
- Long-term skill retention and real-world application are better achieved with random practice.
- Progress should be measured by retention and transfer, not just immediate improvements during drills.
- Adopting a growth mindset helps embrace the difficulty and messiness of random practice.
Practical Recommendations
- Prioritize random practice: vary tasks and scenarios to include reading, planning, and doing.
- Reduce repetitive drills; avoid doing the same thing twice in a row.
- Use retention and transfer tests to assess progress, rather than only practice performance.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Practice Performance — Immediate skill improvement observed during a practice session.
- Retention — The degree to which learned skills persist over time.
- Transfer — The ability to apply learned skills in different or game-like situations.
- Block Practice — Practicing the same action repeatedly under the same conditions.
- Random Practice — Practicing varied actions with changing scenarios, requiring adaptation.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Implement more random practice in training sessions.
- Assess improvement using retention and transfer, not just practice drills.
- Prepare to discuss "specificity" and further methods to enhance transfer in the next lecture.