Progressive Practice Strategy

Masters Wu Chien Chuan and Wabu Young in the picture. My own teacher states that Young Wabu was dominated by Wu Chien Chuan when they met  and "compared"  skills.   Young Wabu was no doubt very skilled at Tai Chi. However, if we say that Wu Chien Chuan passed on all or even  part of his skill (note I did not say his curriculum) it also raises the “how to gain skill” question? 

There is a fairly extensive curriculum in Classical Tai Chi but it also matters what method(s) are used to study.  Whether DVD or “online” Classical Tai Chi @ Teachable.com it also matters how the curriculum is studied. In the picture, Master Hwa is demonstrating how to do a posture to me. How did I learn to do the posture on my own and gain skill in it? 

 I first “Blocked”, then “Serialed”, then “Randomed” my practice of that posture. 

Blocked Practice

Blocked practice involves practicing a Tai Chi posture (single motor skill) repeatedly before moving on to another skill.  I had to isolate that posture on the DVD and  nowadays online,not doing any other movements.  In the lexicon of blocked practice it requires: 

• Constant practice
• Fixed practice
• Drills
• Repetition (often described as "repetition without repetition" in contrast to random practice)
• Low contextual interference practice

Serial Practice

Serial practice involves practicing a set of motor skills in a specific, repeating, and predictable order. 

Random Practice

Random practice involves practicing multiple skills in a mixed, unpredictable order, creating high contextual interference. 

These practice schedules are often discussed along with what is called  “Contextual Interference Continuum” ( C I C), with blocked practice at the low end of interference and random practice at the high end. 

Comparison of Practice Types in Classical Tai Chi

Blocked Practice

Serial Practice

Random Practice

Blocked Practice

Repeat one posture/form multiple times before switching

Serial Practice

Fixed order of multiple forms (e.g., 108 Form sequence)

Random Practice

Forms/postures practiced in unpredictable order

Cognitive Load

Low for Blocked

Moderate for Serial

High for Random

Skill Acquisition Speed

Fast for Blocked

Moderate for Serial

Slow for Random

Retention & Transfer

Poor for Blocked

Good for Serial

Excellent for Random

Contextual Interference

Low for Blocked

Medium for Serial

High for Random

Best For

Beginners learning new postures   Blocked

Intermediate learners refining flow      Serial

Advanced learners improving adaptability    Random

Example in Classical Tai Chi

Practicing "Preparation Form” 10 times straight.  Blocked

Repeating the first 5 moves of the 108 Square Form and/or Round Form in order.  Serial

Randomly selecting and performing any of the 108 forms without pattern. Random