Approaches WorkbookShadowing – Teacher Answers

1) When is a shadow practice most valuable for a performer?

• A shadow practice is very useful for performers who are learning a new skill (cognitive stage of learning). This is because the movements can be focus on completely as distractions such as a ball or opponents have been removed.

2) Why is it effective that a performer can practice at their own speed when shadowing?

• As performers can work at their own speed they can slow the practice down so that the can work out the correct movements in the skill and ensure that each part of the movement being worked on is performed correctly.

3) A shadow practice involves no ball/shuttle or opponents, why is this important?

• Distractions are removed and the practice is kept simple so that the performer can focus only on making their body complete the action in exactly the correct way.

• As there are no opponents or competition involved this takes away any pressure from the opponent so again they can concentrate solely on performing the correct action.

4) In what ways could a shadow practice be easily included in a training session?

• Shadow practices can easily be incorporated into training sessions through performing these as part of a warm up or combining a shadow practice with a repetition practice. E.g shadow the movement first then carry it out in a repetition practice.

• Shadow practices can be used within fitness work . For example they could be used to develop aspects of fitness such as agility or CRE whilst at the same time developing aspects of a skill.

5) Why might this form of practice result in a performer losing concentration and how might this affect their progress?

• This form of practice may not be exciting or enjoyable. This may result in boredom and lack of concentration. This could lead to the athlete not practicing effectively potentially resulting in limited progress or bad habits being developed.

• This form of practice may be too simple for some performers and therefore not provide enough challenge in order to keep them motivated to perform to the best of their ability.

6) Why is it important that a performer carrying out a shadow practice has a rest between sets?

• If carried out for too long this form of practice will be physically demanding. This may result in tiredness that could result in poor technique being practiced. This could result in the development of bad habits.

7) Why might a shadow practice be easy for an athlete to organize?

• Shadow practices are normally carried out individually and therefore these can be carried out without the need of other players or a training partner. This makes them easy to organise.

8) Why is it crucial that a performer gets lots of feedback when carrying out a shadow practice?

• As the performer is likely to be learning a new skill they will not be able to identify errors they are making on their own.

• Lots of feedback is therefore required so that a

performer does not practice wrong technique and therefore develop bad habits

• Also feedback will ensure performers know what they are doing well (will motivate) and what they need to improve. This will help the performer make progress.

9) Why might it difficult to transfer learning from carrying out a shadow practice into an actual performance?

• As these practices are not very game like it is difficult to transfer the skills/movements learned in these situations into games. This is due to not having practiced in conditions with the same distractions that are faced in competition e.g opponents, the ball etc.