Massed.

The idea

Massed practice is a practice structure in which a performer rehearses one skill continuously, with rest intervals kept very short or omitted altogether, so that work dominates the session. It suits simple, discrete or closed skills that are already reasonably well learned, because the performer can repeat the action many times and build consistency and stamina. For example, a badminton player might rehearse twenty consecutive serves before pausing, or a swimmer might complete a long set of turns without extended recovery. The coach chooses massed practice when the skill is low in complexity, the performer is motivated, and fatigue will not damage technique. It is contrasted with distributed practice, where rest periods are longer and more frequent.

What earns the marks

• Defines massed practice as continuous rehearsal of a skill with very short or no rest intervals.
• Explains that massed practice suits simple, discrete or closed skills that are already well learned.
• Identifies benefits such as repetition, consistency, stamina and efficient use of session time.
• Recognises limitations such as fatigue, reduced concentration and possible technique breakdown.
• Applies the structure to a sporting example, for example repeated serves or turns in a single block.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Thinking massed practice means practising many different skills in one session.

  Put it right: It actually means rehearsing one skill with minimal rest.

• Assuming massed practice is always best for beginners.

  Put it right: It is usually more suitable for simple skills that are already reasonably well learned.

• Confusing massed practice with the whole method.

  Put it right: Massed describes the timing of rest, while whole describes whether the skill is broken down.

• Believing massed practice removes all rest.

  Put it right: Short rest intervals may still occur, but they are kept to a minimum.

Exam tips

• Link the choice of massed practice to the classification of the skill, such as simple, discrete or closed.
• Use a named sporting example to show how the structure would look in a session.
• When evaluating, balance the benefits of repetition against the risk of fatigue and poor technique.
• Use correct terminology, contrasting massed with distributed practice rather than with part practice.