There are a number of methods and exercises that are mainly used as teaching aids. They allow you to practise particular skills or pieces of work, whilst adding variety to the other ringers.

Bastow Minimus and Bastow Doubles

Allows the treble to practise going into and out of the lead to work on accurate striking.
As an introduction to method ringing – ringing by rules rather that a blue line.
It is simple and short and may be easier to ring than longer methods.
If 5 and 6 cover behind Bastow Minimus, a very inexperienced ringer can ring the 6.

Cloister Doubles

Allows the ringers of the treble and 2 to practise plain hunt on three bells.
Other ringers can practice ringing Stedman back work without having to think about
other things.
The cover bell only has to look out for three bells ringing at the back.

Bayles Bob Doubles

Allows the practice of a specific lead of Plain Bob Doubles multiple times. Particularly useful when there is a particular piece of work [such as 3-4 down dodge] that needs practising. The same lead is repeated for as many leads as is required – it is controlled by the conductor. Once the transition from Bob Doubles to Bayles Bob Doubles is made:

The treble makes makes long fifths [4 blows in 5^th place] every lead.
The same two bells dodge in 3-4 at every lead.
One bell makes seconds over the treble than makes fourths [makes the bob] every alternate lead.

Funny Bob Doubles

A shortened version of Plain Bob Doubles in which:

The 4 makes long fifths every lead
The 2 and 5 dodge in 3-4 every lead
The treble and 3 alternately plain hunt and make seconds over each other. These are the hardest bells to ring.

Thingummy Bob Doubles

A shortened version of Plain Bob Doubles in which:

The treble and 5 practise leading and makes long fifths [alternating leads]
The 3 and 4 practise dodging in 3-4 every lead
The 2 alternately makes seconds over the treble than makes fourths [makes the bob] every lead. This is the hardest bell to ring.