5.
1 - Characteristics and Classification of Skill
Assessment Statement
5.1.1 Define the term skill.
5.1.2 Describe the different types of skill
5.1.3 Outline the different approaches to
classifying motor skills
5.1.4 Compare skill profiles for contrasting Using the continua in 5.1.3, compare
sports
5.1.5 Outline ability.
5.1.6 Distinguish between
Fleishman’s physical proficiency
abilities (physical factors)
and perceptual motor abilities
(psychomotor factors).
5.1.7 Define the term technique.
5.1.8 State the relationship between
ability, skill, and technique.
5.1.9 Discuss the differences between a
skilled and a novice performer.
Notes
Skill is the consistent production of
goal-oriented movements, which are
learned and specific to the task
(McMorris 2004).
Limit to cognitive, perceptual, motor and
perceptual motor skills.
Limit to (i) gross–fine (ii) open–closed (iii)
discrete–serial–continuous (iv)
external–internal paced skills (v)
interaction continuum (individual–
coactive–interactive).
contrasting sports.
Ability refers to a general trait or capacity
of the individual that is related to the
performance and performance potential
of a variety of skills or tasks.
Fleishman (1972) distinguishes between
physical proficiency and perceptual motor
ability. Recall of the individual abilities is
not required.
Technique in general terms is a “way of
doing”. In the performance of a specific
sports skill it is defined as the “way in
which that sports skill is performed”.
Skill = ability + selection of an appropriate
technique.
Limit to consistency, accuracy, control,
learned, efficiency, goal-directed and
fluency.
5.1.1 - Give a definition of skill

Skill - the consistent production of goal-oriented movements, which are learned and specific
to the task cognitive:
strength and weakness of opponent
what shot to play
predict where the ball will go

perceptual:

5.1.2 - Describe the different types of skill foot position

body position
arm action
previous games you have playes against him

perceptual-motor:
move towards the ball
feet and body position
Analyzing game situations and developing strategies to win
Cognitive Skills - the ability to solve problems by thinking Recognizing patterns in the movements of opponents
Anticipating the trajectory of a ball or puck based on physics principles
forehand/ backhand
spin

Tracking the movement of a ball or puck in order to catch or hit it

Perceptual Skills - the process by which you sense things and interpret them Judging the distance between oneself and an opponent in order to make a tackle or block
Identifying and reacting to visual cues from opponents, such as body language or facial
expressions
Throwing a ball accurately to a teammate

Motor Skills - the physical execution of a skill (the voluntary muscle movement) Kicking a ball with enough force to score a goal
Running with proper form and technique to maximize speed and efficiency

Hitting a baseball by tracking the trajectory of the ball and coordinating

Perceptual-motor Skills - involve the thought, interpretation and movement skills the swing of the bat
Performing a diving catch in cricket by tracking the ball, adjusting body
position, and executing the catch with proper form
Making a pass in basketball by quickly analyzing the position of
teammates and defenders, and then executing a precise pass with proper
form

5.1.3 and 5.1.4 - Compare skill profiles for contrasting sports The size of the musculature involved

Skill Definition Example

Gross - Fine large movements using large kicking a football

muscles or involving whole muscle rugby tackle
groups

small and intricate movements using hand movement in a cricket

small muscles often at the bowl
extremities
The stability of the environment

Open - Closed skill performed in an unstable netball, football, hockey

environment, where the
environment stimuli determine the
initiation of the movement

performed in a stationary free throw in basketball

environment. Highly controlled by indoors by yourself
the individual, who dictates the
initiation
Destinctiveness of the movement characteristics

Discrete - Serial - brief and defined actions that have a penalty kick in football
Continuous definitive start and end to their
movement. Single, specific actions

a sequence of discrete skills joined triple jump

together to create a greater
movement

has no obvious beginning or end, swimming, cycling

actions are repeated in a cyclical
form
 The

Externally paced - the environment (including in ball games, the performer

Internally paced opponents) control the pace at
which the skill is executed, these
factors will affect the performance
and must be taken into account by
the performer.
must time his actions with
the actions of other players
and the ball

performer dictates the rate of speed javelin throw, discus

that the skills are performed, often
comprise of closed skills

Individual - skills performed in isolation high jump

Coactive -
Interactive skills that may be performed in 100 m swimming sprint
unison with other competitors, but
do not involve direct confrontation
or contact

skills performed where others are rugby or football

directly involved (game sports)

5.1.5 - Outline ability

Ability - the capacity for an individual to perform a specific skill

5.1.6 - Distinguish between Fleishman’s physical proficiency abilities and perceptual-motor

abilities
Fleishman’s Physical Proficiency Abilities: Fleishman’s Perceptual Motor Abilities:

- extent flexibility - reaction time

- dynamic flexibility - response orientation
- explosive strength - speed of movement
- static strength - finger dexterity
- dynamic strength - manual dexterity
- trunk strength - response integration
- gross body coordination
- gross body equilibrium
- stamina

Physical Proficiency Abilities - relate to the physical or structural aspects of the body, they
are more health-related
Perceptual Motor Abilities - physical attributes that combine the senses, they are more
skilled related
5.1.7 - Define the term technique

Technique - a “way of doing” - the way in which a sport skill is performed

5.1.8 - State the relationship between ability, skill and technique

skill = ability + selection of an appropriate technique

5.1.9 - Discuss the relationship between a skilled and novice performer

Ability Skilled Performer Novice Performer

Consistency would be very consistent as they would have many errors and not
are an expert (autonomous) in yet be consistent as they are still in
their sport the learning (cognitive or
associative) stage

Accuracy more likely to be accurate, for the less accurate in their performance
same reasons as above as they are less consistent and
skilled

Control will have more control in their will have less control, comes with
movements as they have stored lack of consistency and accuracy,
muscle memory from completing as they have not had great time for
the action so many times practice

Learned they will be knowledgeable on may need assistance in

their sport and technique understanding the correct
technique

Efficiency will be able to achieve the will take a long time to reach the
desired goal much quicker than a desired goal
novice player

Goal-directed will know exactly what they want may know what they want to
to produce and what steps are achieve but not the steps to get
needed to get there there

Fluency difficult skills will look effortless will look erratic and uncontrolled
and smooth