Chapter 8
Skill and Ability
Skill = A learned and practised ability that brings about the result desire with maximum certainty and efficiency
Ability = The qualities and characteristics a person is born with, such as speed, agility, coordination, flexibility, balance, reaction time, that allow a person to learn or acquire a skill
Key factors that affect the variation of skill level
Age and maturity = Doing sport at a younger age commonly means they are higher standard. Muscle memory
Culture = Indian people more likely to play cricket
Arousal conditions = Low arousal people would perform better at archery
Motivation = A desire to succeed will encourage you to seek new challenges
Anxiety = Difficulty effects motivation in an anxious person
Teaching and coaching = Quality of coaching will affect skill level. Andy Murray went to Spain for better coaching
Environment = Cold, mountainous places you are more likely to ski
Facilities = Only certain types of facilities will be available in an area, so more likely to play those sports
Skilled Performance
Accurate = Achieving precise, reliable movements
Consistent = Performing to a high level every time with control and quality
Fluent = Using movements that are quick, smooth and flowing, without hesitation or stumbling
Coordinated = Moving different parts of the body together with efficiency and control
Aesthetically pleasing = A display that looks good to the eye of the spectator, judge or coach
Goal directed = Focusing performing on a specific target and being determined to achieve that target
Skill Classification
Basic Skill = A simple skill = Running
Complex Skill = Skills that require more coordination and movement = Serving in tennis
Open Skill = Skills affected by the environment = Rain making surface slippery
Closed Skill = Skills not affected by the environment = Swimming
Fine Skill = Precise movements, that require high levels of accuracy = Throwing a dart
Gross Skill = Big movements that use large muscle groups = Tackle in rugby
Simple Information Processing Model
Input = Information that is received through sight, hearing or touch
Decision Making = Information is analysed, so they can choose an appropriate response
Feedback = Information is received about the effectiveness of the output. Whether it was good or bad, this knowledge is stored. It can be given as intrinsic or extrinsic feedback
Output = the decision made is acted upon
Stages of Learning
Associative Stage = The performer knows how to complete a skill but still requires practice to perfect
Cognitive Stage = When start to learn the technique. A large number of mistakes will be made
Autonomous Stage = Th performer can complete the skill without thinking. Could show flair
Feedback
Feedback = The information a performer receives about their performance
Intrinsic Feedback = Information that comes from within, to do with muscle movements. Often easier for advanced performers
Extrinsic Feedback = Information that comes from an external source, more often used with lower quality performers
Guidance
Knowledge of Performance = Helps to improve specific areas for performers to improve on
Knowledge of Result = Gives a quick measure of success, helps show improvement
Visual Guidance = Demonstrations are used but have to be accurate, useful at all stages of learning
Verbal Guidance = Verbal advice can be acted upon at anytime, useful for all stages of learning. Some movements can't be explained
Manual Guidance = When a teacher moves the performer into the correct positions to be able to execute a skill. Useful Cognitive stages of learning
Mechanical Guidance = When a piece of equipment is used to help improve. More useful for Cognitive stages.