Shadow practices are most valuable for learning new skills as they allow performers to focus completely on movements without distractions. Performers can practice at their own speed to ensure correct form. Removing balls/opponents prevents distractions so performers can focus solely on movements. Shadow practices can be easily incorporated into warm-ups or combined with repetition drills. Getting feedback is crucial as performers may not identify their own errors and could develop bad habits without correction.

1. Approaches
Workbook
Shadowing – Teacher Answers

2. 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.

3. 2) Why is it effectivethat a performercan
practiceat their ownspeedwhenshadowing?
• 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.

4. 3) A shadowpracticeinvolvesno ball/shuttle
or opponents,whyis 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.

5. 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.

6. 5)Whymightthisformofpracticeresultina
performerlosingconcentrationandhowmightthis
affecttheirprogress?
• 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.

7. 6)Whyisitimportantthataperformercarryingout
ashadowpracticehasarestbetweensets?
• 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.

8. 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.

9. 8) Whyisitcrucialthataperformergetslotsof
feedbackwhencarrying outashadowpractice?
• 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.

10. 9)Whymightitdifficulttotransferlearningfrom
carryingoutashadowpracticeintoanactual
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.