The Effect of All Pre-Practice, Interspersed and Combination Observation Methods on Learning of Form and Accuracy of Overhead Volleyball Service

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of three various observational learning methods (all pre-practice, interspersed and combination of these two methods) on learning overhead volleyball service. 30 male students from Shahid Chamran University, all beginners in the intended skill, were divided randomly into three different groups. One group observed 10 overhead volleyball services through a videotape demonstrated by a volleyball expert and then started to practice the service. Another group observed the skill only once and then started to practice the skill. The subjects in this group observed one demonstration after each three attempts. The last group observed 5 demonstrations right before the attempt and 5 demonstrations alternately among attempts (one demonstration every three attempts) and last 15 attempts were performed after the last demonstration. The form and accuracy of subjects' services both during an acquisition phase and short (5 minutes) and long (48 hours) retentions were assessed. The findings indicated that the subjects in the combination group who received skill through the combination method showed a longer retention of learning the form of the volleyball service. Based on the results, it is suggested that sport coaches use several demonstrations before practice and several more demonstrations in the early stages of practice for optimal learning of form of skill.