Muscle memory? Variability?

Traditionally, the ultimate goal of motor learning is to "perfect" a specific technique by practicing and repeating numerous times to achieve "automaticity". The idea of "muscle memory" over the last 3 to 4 decades have legitimised this type of coaching and teaching practice globally, until today. But what if we find out that variability in practice is actually a good thing? While at the start it is expected that performance will drop and mistakes will be made, research has shown that skill retention and skill transfer will increase when the right amounts of variability is introduced into practice.

Through the images attached below, I will share some ideas on how variability can be introduced and organised for a class of 40 in the teaching of invasion games with long-handled implement. Hope these ideas will spark even more ideas. Have fun!