Classification of Skill What is classification of skill? Putting skills into certain groups based on common characteristics

What groups can you think of?

The categories are always opposites Sports are placed on a continuum What levels of motivation do you have to complete prep? We place our skill along the continuum. This helps if we have a skill that is neither one or the other but in the middle of the two categories.

Why bother classifying skills? Because if we are aware of the common characteristics of each skill, it makes it easier for us to teach/plan practises

Does the environment have an effect on the skill? Open/Closed Skills Does the environment have an effect on the skill?

Open Skill Closed Skill A skill that takes place in a changing environment (NOT weather) E.g. Tennis Rally Closed Skill A skill that takes place in a stable environment E.g. A dive

Does the skill involve much movement of the body’s muscles? Gross/Fine Skills Does the skill involve much movement of the body’s muscles?

Gross Skill A movement which requires movement of large muscle groups E.g. Basketball lay-up shot Fine Skill A movement which requires small, precise movements E.g. Throwing a dart

Self/Externally Paced Skills Who decides when to start/the timing of the skill?

Externally-Paced Skill Self-Paced Skill A skill where the performer decides when to start the movement/the pace of the skill E.g. Gymnast Externally-Paced Skill A skill where other factors (e.g. people) determine when to start/the pace of the skill E.g. Hockey player

Discrete/Serial/Continuous Skills How many movements make up the skill?

Discrete Skill Serial Skill Continuous Skill A skill with a clear beginning and end, one short movement E.g. Kick in football Serial Skill A skill that is made up of several discrete skills put together E.g. Triple Jump Continuous Skill A skill that is made up of the same movement repeated over and over again, no clear beginning or end. E.g. Swimming stroke