The effect of massed versus distributed practice on free throw shooting accuracy

Abstract

Fifth and sixth grade boys (N = 38) participated in the free throw study to examine the effects of massed and distributed practice during a 10-session experimental program. Ss were randomly assigned to two groups: a massed practice group (n = 19), and a distributed practice group (n = 19). Each S in the massed practice group practiced 20 consecutive free throws during each session. Each S in the distributed practice group practiced 20 free throws, attempted two free throws then waited until every other subject in his sub-group had attempted two free throws before taking his next turn. An ANCOVA produced P > .05 between the massed practice free throw shooting method and the distributed practice free throw shooting method. Results of using the adjusted mean scores indicated that the massed practice group showed the greater increase in improvement over the distributed practice group.