Error Reduction during Practice: A Novel Method for Learning to Kick Free-Kicks in Soccer

Abstract

We examined whether a protocol that intends to reduce errors during practice results in greater improvements in free-kick performance in soccer than traditional training protocols that aim for low and high practice variability with many errors. Four groups (n = 40) underwent different practice protocols. Reducing errors was achieved by gradually increasing task difficulty during practice. This error reducing practice protocol was administered to the increasing difficulty group. The decreasing and random difficulty groups practiced the same task difficulties, but in decreasing and random orders respectively. The constant difficulty group practiced only the most difficult task. The error reducing practice protocol resulted in a permanent increment in free-kick performance. This increment was approximated after practice of the most difficult task only.