2.1: Skill Characteristics And Their Impact On Transfer And Practice Flashcards
Skill definition:
- the learned ability to bring about predetermined results with the maximum certainty and minimum outlay of time, energy or both.
What are the characteristics of a skill?
- A: accurate
- C: consistent
- E: economical
- F: fluent
- A: aesthetically pleasing
- C: controlled
- E: effortless
What are the different classifications of a skill?
- open-closed
- discrete-serial-continuous
- gross-fine
- self-paced-externally-paced
Open skill definition:
- a skill performer in an unpredictable environment, e.g. dribbling with a football.
- directly effected by changing factors such as:
- the movement of the ball
- the moment of your teammate
- wind and other weather conditions
- positions of opposing players
Closed skill definition:
- a skill performed in a predictable environment.
- one in which external factors do not change, e.g. throwing a dart. The position of the board, type of dart, etc are all fixed and will not vary from one throw to the next.
Gross skill definition:
- a skill that uses large muscle groups, e.g. swimming/rugby.
Fine skill definition:
- a skill that uses smaller muscle groups, e.g. darts/golf putt
Self-paced skill definition:
- when the performer controls the start and speed of the skill.
- under the control of the performer, e.g. throwing a javelin.
Externally-paced skill definition:
- when the performer has no control over the start and speed of the skill.
- the timing or pacing of a skill can be classified according to where the control of the pace lies.
- external factor affecting start time and external factor affecting speed of movement.
Discrete skill definition:
- a skill that has a clear beginning and end.
- 1 short sharp action, e.g. a tennis serve.
Serial skill definition:
- a skill that contains several discrete skills in order to make a more integrated movement.
- e.g. triple jump, gymnastics floor routine.
Continuous skill definition:
- a skill that had no clear beginning and end and often the end of one part or sub routine of the skill.
- e.g. distance cycling or rowing.
Low-organised skill definition:
- a skill that is easily broken down into parts. E.g. triple jump.
High organised skill definition:
- a skill that is not easily broken into parts.
- e.g. road cycling - has to be practices as a whole.
Simple skill definition:
- a skill that requires few decisions when being performed.
- e.g. rugby - running with the ball in a straight line.
Complex skill definition:
- a skill that requires decision making using lots of information when performed.
- e.g. being able to scrummage properly - requires multiple judgements and decisions.
Transfer definition:
- the effect of learning and performance of one skill on the learning and performance of another.
Positive transfer defintion:
- when the learning of one skill helps the learning of another.
- where the effect of a previously learned skill has a beneficial effect upon another.
- for there to be a positive transfer there must be similarity in the structure of the skill component. e.g. chest pass in basketball will help with a chest pass in netball.
Negative transfer definition:
- when the learning of one skill hinders the learning of another.
- e.g. similar sports - but with different skill sets. e.g. tennis and badminton.
Zero transfer definition:
- when the learning of one skill has no impact on the learning of another. e.g. learning to row would have no impact on learning to swim.
Bilateral transfer definition:
- when the learning of one skill is passes across the body from limb to limb. e.g. being able to pass with both feet (football), play snooker with either arm.
How to ensure positive transfer?
- praise/rewards - scoring a goal with your weaker foot count as two goals.
- realistic training - e.g. doing proper rugby tackles instead of using the big, soft cylinders. Make sure the skills are well learnt before moving on.
What are the different methods of practice?
- whole practice
- whole-part-whole practice
- progressive-part practice
What is whole practice?
- practicing the skill in its entirety.
- the skill is practices as a whole, its not broken down into sub-routines.
- allows performer to get the correct feel for the skill - receive appropriate internal kinaesthetic feedback.
When is whole practiced used?
- when the skill is fast and discrete
- used if it’s a highly organised skill, or has to be performed quickly
- if the performer is in the autonomous stage of learning, when movement is detailed and precise and able to cope with the demand of the whole task
- used when teaching bigger groups
What are the advantages of whole practice?
- feel for the skill
- helps create specific images for LT memory, mental image for whole part of the skill.
- more realistic than part practice, helps produce positive transfer.
- helps make the skill consistent.
What are the disadvantages of whole practice?
- may place unnecessary demands on the performer (too much to think about for a beginner)
- fatigue
- too much information
What is whole-part-whole pratice?
- doing a whole skill to get the initial feel for a movement, identifying a weakness to practice in isolation from the rest of the skill and then putting the whole skill back together, e.g. triple jump.
- a bigger learning a complex task may have to focus on one part of the skill and get it right, before moving on.
What are the advantages of whole-part-whole practice?
- provides motivation when weakness is corrected successfully.
- provides immediate feedback, corrects error.
- improves performance.
- fluency can be maintained.
What are the disadvantages of whole-part-whole practice?
- can produce negative transfer unless coach integrates the skill back into the whole - should be done reasonably quickly.
- more time consuming
What is progressive part practice?
- practicing the first part of a skill and then gradually adding parts to it, chaining the parts.
- chaining: linking sub-routines together in order.
- good for teaching serial skills and low-organised skill.
What are the advantages of progressive-part practice?
- learner can focus on one aspect at a time, correct specific weaknesses
- helps maintain motivation, multiple small successes.
- coach and performer can focus on key aspects.
- learner can rest, avoid fatigue
What are the disadvantages of progressive-part practice?
- could lead to negative transfer, if skill isn’t learned properly before moving on.
- time-consuming
- may neglect feel of the whole task and links between subroutines.
What are the different types of practice?
- massed practice
- distributed practice
- varied practice
- mental practice
What is massed practice?
- no rest intervals
- used when the skill is discrete, simple and when the environment is closed.
What are the advantages of massed practice?
- promotes fitness/cardiovascular endurance
- skill becomes habitual
- motor programmes formed
- efficient use of coach and player time
What are the disadvantages of massed practice?
- fatigue
- danger of negative transfer
- demands on the player are high
What is distributed practice?
- rest intervals
- should be used when the skill is continuous and the performer may need a break
- could be used when the skill is open or complex.
What are the advantages of distributed practice?
- takes the pressure off of the performer
- good for beginners
- coaching can be implemented during the breaks
- motivation can be given through praise during rest periods
- safe
What are the disadvantages of distributed practice?
- time-consuming
- danger of negative transfer
What is varied practice?
- changing the practice type and practice drills
- should be used when the skill is open and the environment is unpredictable. The practice session should replicate these conditions.
What are the advantages of varied practice?
- shows players to adapt their skills to changing environments, so appropriate for open skills
- helps add fun - motivation
- helps to build parts of the skill and develop adapting skills
What are the disadvantages of varied practice?
- time consuming
- risk of negative transfer
- may place unnecessary demands on performer]
- fatigue
What is mental practice?
- going over the skill in your kind, without movement.
Mental practice - beginners:
- short and key parts of the task are emphasised
- aims at lowering arousal/anxiety, building confidence
- aims to ‘build a picture’ of the movement, reduce errors.
Mental practice - experts:
- specific targets or strategies, can focus on highlighting opponent’s weaknesses.
- can aim to improve reaction time, activate muscles, help performer to focus
What are the advantages of mental practice?
- can be done when injured
- can be internal or external
- improves confidence/lowers anxiety
- improved reaction time
- improved decision making
