Which best describes variable practice in ice hockey training?

A. Practising shots on goal for 40 minutes.

B. Practising shots on goal for 5 minutes in between brief, competitive, small-sided games.

C. Practising shots on goal after moving through a series of markers.

D. Practising shots on goal while competing in small-sided games.

D

This was the second most difficult question for candidates this session. The correct answer was the third most popular response. The majority of candidates selected B which was considered to be the main distractor, followed by C. However, the correct answer was D. When providing contextual questions there may not always be absolute answers and they apply to a scale. Therefore, when reading the question the candidates needed to consider the wording of the question where it says 'Which best describes variable practice in ice hockey training?'. A is an example of massed practice where there are limited breaks or change in the practice. B would be considered a variation of distributed practise where the breaks were periods of small-sided games. Breaks do not always need to be physical rest; it could be mental rest from a particular activity. C is an example of fixed practice where ice hockey players move through a series of markers therefore with limited to no variability. D is the correct answer as there is regular variability to the type of shooting experienced within the game situation due to the position of the individual in relation to the goal, their teammates and opposition players all contributing to the environment.