What is involved in practice repetition?

The concept of practice repetition is fundamentally about enhancing muscle memory, which is the ability to perform a task automatically through repeated practice. When athletes engage in repetitive practice, they are training their bodies to execute specific movements or skills more efficiently and instinctively. This type of targeted repetition allows athletes to refine their techniques, increase their proficiency, and build confidence in their abilities.

Muscle memory develops as the brain creates pathways for the movements being practiced, allowing for quicker responses and more fluid execution of skills during actual games. Thus, consistently practicing specific skills or plays helps athletes master them over time, ultimately leading to improved performance during competitive situations.

Other approaches mentioned do not support effective skill development. For instance, practicing skills or plays only once would not provide enough repetition to embed those skills into muscle memory. Additionally, solely practicing during games does not allow for the focused skill development that is required to enhance performance. Similarly, mixing practices with unrelated sports can dilute focus and hinder the repetition that builds muscle memory effectively in the specific sport one is trying to master.