Teaching your players technical skills is a difficult undertaking and takes time and patience.There are several different coaching methods and structures of practice we can use. The 3 main ways to organize skills practices are blocked, serial, and random. These are three different practice methods used in motor skill acquisition. These methods differ in the degree of variation between trials and the organization of the practice sessions.
Blocked
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Blocked practice involves repeating the same skill or drill repeatedly without any variation. The focus is solely on a single skill and trying to learn good technique. For example, practicing dribbling the soccer ball in a straight line for multiple repetitions.
Serial
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Serial practice involves practicing a set of skills in a specific order, with each skill being repeated multiple times. For example, practicing passing the ball, then dribbling the ball, then shooting the ball, repeating each skill several times before moving on to the next one.
Random
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Random practice involves practicing a set of skills in a random order, without repeating the same skill twice in a row. For example, practicing passing, dribbling, and shooting in a random order, with each skill being performed only once before moving on to the next one.
Blocked Practice
Benefits
Blocked practice allows for focused repetition and can be helpful for beginners or those trying to learn a new skill.
Drawbacks
Blocked practice can become monotonous and limit the development of adaptability and problem-solving skills.
Serial Practice
Benefits
Serial practice can help learners to develop the ability to transition smoothly between different skills and strategies.
Drawbacks
Serial Practice may not allow for enough variation to fully develop adaptability and problem-solving skills.
Random Practice
Benefits
Random practice can help learners develop the ability to adapt to different situations and contexts, as well as to problem-solve and make decisions on the fly.
Drawbacks
Random Practice can also be more challenging and less efficient for beginners or those still mastering the basics of a skill.
Pairing All 3 Methods Bears The Most Fruit
Combining blocked, serial, and random methods of practice can be more effective for improving technical skills because each method addresses different aspects of motor skill acquisition.
Combining blocked, serial, and random methods of practice can be more effective for improving technical skills because each method addresses different aspects of motor skill acquisition.
Blocked Practice is useful for building basic motor patterns and developing muscle memory for a particular skill. It is important to establish a strong foundation before moving on to more complex skills. However, if this is the only method used for training, learners may struggle to apply their skills in different contexts.
Serial Practice helps learners transition smoothly between different skills and strategies. It allows learners to focus on executing multiple skills in succession while still allowing for some repetition. This method of practice encourages learners to consolidate their motor skills, which can lead to better overall performance.
Random Practice is the most challenging of the three methods, as it requires learners to adapt to different situations and contexts. By introducing random variations, learners are forced to problem-solve and make decisions on the fly. This helps to develop adaptability and decision-making skills, which are essential for high-level performance.
Combining these methods in a structured way can be more effective than using any one method alone. For example, starting with blocked practice to build a foundation, then progressing to serial practice to help learners transition between different skills, and finally introducing random practice to challenge learners and develop adaptability can help to optimize skill acquisition.
Research has shown that combining these methods can lead to better performance than using any one method alone. A study by Yan et al. (2018) found that combining blocked and random practice led to better performance on a soccer passing task than using either method alone. Another study by Wu et al. (2018) found that combining blocked and serial practice led to better performance on a basketball dribbling task than using random practice alone.
Combining Into A Practice Plan
Below is an example of how a coach might combine all three of the skill acquisition methods we have detailed. See how the skill remains the same but it progresses in difficulty and other skills or aspects are combined as the session progresses.
Practice Plan
Blocked Stationary Dribbling
Set up cones in a straight line, about 2-3 feet apart. Players dribble the ball through the cones using the inside and outside of their feet, while keeping the ball close to their feet.
Serial Dribbling Practice
Set up cones in a zigzag pattern. Players dribble through the cones, alternating between using their right and left foot. Next, players add a fake move, such as a step-over or cut, as they dribble through the cones.
Random Dribbling Practice
Set up cones in a large grid, with players scattered throughout.
Players dribble the ball around the grid, avoiding collisions with other players and keeping control of the ball. The coach can call out different moves or ask players to switch to their weaker foot to challenge them.
Watch A Technical Practice Combining Blocked, Serial & Random
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