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Skill ClassificationThere is a large range of sporting activities each requiring a set of skills. Skills have many characteristics that can change in different situations, which makes classifying them difficult. Accepting that skills cannot be neatly labeled, we place them on a continuum. Skill classification systems are based on the view that motor skills are affected by three factors:
The Gross and Fine ContinuumThis continuum is concerned with the precision of movement - gross and fine skills. Gross skills: involve large muscle movements, where the major muscle groups are involved. The movements are not very precise, and include many fundamental movement patterns such as walking, running and jumping. The shot putt is an example of a primarily gross skill. Fine skills: involve intricate movements using small muscle groups, tend to be precise and generally involve high levels of hand-eye coordination. A snooker shot or playing the piano are examples fine skills. The Open and Closed ContinuumThis continuum is concerned with the effects of the environment on skills - Barbara Knapp's open and closed skills also known as open and closed loop control. Open skills: sports such as Netball, Football, and Hockey usually involve open skills. This is because the environment is constantly changing and so movements have to be continually adapted. Therefore, skills are predominantly perceptual. The skill is mostly externally paced, for example a pass in football. Closed skills. These skills take place in a stable, predictable environment and the performer knows exactly what to do and when. Therefore, skills are not affected by the environment and tend to be habitual. Movements follow set patterns and have a clear beginning and end. The skills tend to be self-paced, for example a free throw in Basketball, and serving in Squash or Tennis. Barbara Knapp suggests that skills can fit on a continuum between open and closed. The External and Internal Paced ContinuumThis continuum is concerned with the timing of movements (and is often used with the open-closed continuum) - internal and external paced skills. Internally paced or self-paced skills: the performer controls the rate at which the skill is executed. These skills are usually closed skills. i.e. javelin throw, discus. Externally paced skills: the environment, which may include opponents, controls the rate of performing the skill. The performer must pay attention to external events in order to control his/her rate of movement. These skills involve reaction, and are usually open skills. i.e. in ball games the performer must time his actions with the actions of other players and the ball. The Discrete, Serial and Continuous ContinuumThis continuum is concerned with how well defined the beginning and end of the skill are - discrete, serial and continuous skills. Discrete skills are brief, well-defined actions that have a clear beginning and end. They are single, specific skills, which make up the actions involved in a variety of sports such as hitting and throwing. Hockey. i.e. a penalty flick in. Serial Skills are a group of discrete skills strung together to make a new and complex movement. i.e. the sequence of skills for the triple jump. Continuous skills have no obvious beginning or end. The end of one cycle of movements is the beginning of the next, and the skill is repeated like a cycle. These skills could be stopped at any moment during the performance of the skill. i.e. Swimming, Running, Cycling.
Individual, Coactive and Interactive skillsIndividual skills are those performed in isolation. e.g. Figure Skating, high jump. Coactive skills are those performed at the same time as others but without direct confrontation. e.g. running, swimming. Interactive skills are those performed where other performers are directly involved. e.g. rugby, football, basketball, netball. Simple and Complex skillsA simple skill is one that is straightforward with very few subsections to go through to perform the skill. This skill also requires little concentration and cognitive ability of the performer. A complex skill involves a large attention span because they are complicated and are practiced in training repeatedly to make it easier to perform in competition. Low and High OrganisationA low organisation skill is very easy and uncomplicated moves like riding a bike and the phases that make the skill are usually discrete and might be practiced separately to make your technique better. Not as much attention needed. A high organisation skill have a complex amount of skill involved and you can say that it is many skills closely linked together to make this skill. They cannot be broken down and practiced separately as they are linked closely together. These require large amounts of attention. Self and Externally paced skillsSelf paced skills are those that are instigated by the performer and externally paced skills are those where the timing of the performance of the skill is not controlled by the performer, but by an outside instigator. Variable and Fixed PracticeA major factor influencing the development of a skill is practice of which there are two main types:
Massed and Distributed PracticeThe organisation of a practice session will depend greatly on those involved and the activity being practiced. Depending on the amount of experience, the skill level and the performer's fitness, practice may be organised in two ways:
Associated PagesThe following Sports Coach pages should be read in conjunction with this page:
Associated BooksThe following books provide more information related to this topic:
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