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Year 11

Edexcel

Massed, distributed, fixed and variable practice

I can identify how different practice structures can be used effectively in different situations.

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New

Year 11

Edexcel

Massed, distributed, fixed and variable practice

I can identify how different practice structures can be used effectively in different situations.

Download all resources

Share activities with pupils

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Lesson details

Key learning points

Massed practice involves practising a skill continuously without taking a break.
Distributed practice involves periods of rest between practice sessions.
Fixed practice involves practising a skill in a stable and unchanging environment.
Variable practice involves practising a skill in a variety of settings and conditions.

Keywords

Practice - repeated exercise in or performance of a skill so as to acquire or maintain proficiency in it
Massed practice - practice that occurs without rest between trials
Distributed practice - intervals between skill practice in a training session for rest or mental rehearsal
Fixed practice - repeatedly practising a whole skill within a training session
Variable practice - a training session that includes frequent changes of task so that the skill can be repeated in different situations

Common misconception

It might be believed that certain sports only require one type of practice structure.

Practice structures vary depending on the skills being practiced and the level of ability. Two different skills from within the same sport might benefit from different practice structures.

Ask pupils to reflect on recent PE lessons or sports training sessions and critique the practice structures.

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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on

Open Government Licence version 3.0

except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

Which of these is not a skill classification continua?

open/closed

low organisation/high organisation

Correct answer: beginner/expert

basic/complex

Q2.

Match the continua to the appropriate classification.

Correct Answer:difficulty,basic/complex

basic/complex

Correct Answer:environmental,open/closed

open/closed

Correct Answer:organisational,low organisation/high organisation

low organisation/high organisation

Q3.

"Practice makes perfect" is an expression which emphasises what?

skills are something you are born with and you don't have to work on

skills are something you learn and once you know them you don't need practice

Correct answer: skills are something which must be practiced regularly to improve and master

skill are perfected easily and without effort

Q4.

Arrange these three skills from the most open to most closed.

1 - shooting in futsal

2 - launching the boat in sailing

3 - archery

Q5.

What does the 10,000 hour rule suggest about skills?

Correct answer: it takes approximately 10,000 hours of practice to master a skill

it takes approximately 10,000 hours of watching videos on a skill to learn it

it takes approximately 10,000 hours without a break to learn a skill

it takes approximately 10,000 hours to master a skill, even without practice

Q6.

A rugby player receives the ball from a pass in the middle of the field. Which of these are environmental factors they might consider before performing the next skill?

Correct answer: is there a team mate in a good position and available for a pass?

Correct answer: how close is the nearest opposition player?

Correct answer: have I got space to run into or should I look to pass?

Correct answer: am I in position to kick forward and chase?

Correct answer: what is the score? perhaps I need to take a drop goal attempt?

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

Match the keyword to its definition.

Correct Answer:massed practice,practice that occurs without rest between trials

practice that occurs without rest between trials

Correct Answer:distributed practice,intervals between skill practice in a training session for rest or men

intervals between skill practice in a training session for rest or men

Correct Answer:fixed practice,repeatedly practising a whole skill within a training session

repeatedly practising a whole skill within a training session

Correct Answer:variable practice,a training session that includes frequent changes of task/situations

a training session that includes frequent changes of task/situations

Q2.

Which of these are good reasons to choose to use a massed practice structure?

Correct answer: practicing basic skills which don’t require much concentration

Correct answer: practicing closed skills repetitively

practice for beginners who may get bored or tired

for practicing complex skills which can get tiring

Q3.

Beginners will benefit from breaks, therefore they should have practice sessions with a structure.

Correct Answer: distributed

Q4.

Sometimes different skills from the same sport might benefit from different practice structures. Match these two badminton skills to a practice structure.

Correct Answer:short serve,fixed practice

fixed practice

Correct Answer:smash,variable practice

variable practice

Q5.

Which of these would be the most suitable practice session for a beginner learning to play hockey?

massed and fixed

massed and variable

distributed and fixed

Correct answer: distributed and variable

Q6.

Which of these would be the most suitable practice session for a professional swimmer practicing freestyle?

Correct answer: massed and fixed

massed and variable

distributed and fixed

distributed and variable