Classification of skills

Question 1

Name the 6 skill continuums

Answer 1

Muscular movement (gross/fine)
Environmental influence (open/closed)
Continuity (discrete, serial and continuous)
Pacing (externally and internally paced)
Difficulty (simple/complex)
Organisation (low and high)

Question 2

Explain the environmental influence continuum (open and close skill)

Answer 2

Open = environment has impact on the skill. Performance should be adaptable. Decision making is needed (e.g. pass in football)
Close = environment does not have an impact. Environment is predictable and the skill is self paced. Much less decision making is needed. (e.g. serving in tennis)

Question 3

Explain the difficulty continuum (simple and complex)

Answer 3

Simple = simple, little decisions and concentration needed, cognitive processes are less of a priority, skill contains few subroutines (e.g. sprinting)
Complex = decision making and coordination are important, multiple subroutines, involves making judgements (e.g. tennis serve)

Question 4

Explain the pacing continuum (self paced and externally paced)

Answer 4

Self paced = performer is in control of the timing, closed skill (e.g. hammer throw)
Externally paced = environment controls the timing of the skill, open skill, requires decision making (e.g. batting in cricket)

Question 5

Explain the muscular involvement continuum (fine and gross)

Answer 5

Fine = requires high level of control, uses small muscle groups, requires coordination (e.g. a snooker shot)
Gross = requires lower levels of concentration, uses large muscle groups, involves basic motor skills (e.g. a rugby tackle)

Question 6

Explain the continuity continuum (discrete, serial and continuous)

Answer 6

Discrete = have a clear beginning and end, short and specific skill (e.g. penalty kick)
Serial = can easily be split into a series of discrete skills to make a particular order of subroutines for a complex movement (e.g. triple jump)
Continuous = no obvious beginning or end point, lengthy and repeated skill (e.g. running)

Question 7

Explain the organisation continuum (low and high)

Answer 7

Low = simple skills, discrete subroutines, little cognitive processes needed (e.g. swimming strokes)
High = complex skill, hard to separate sub-routines, high levels of cognitive processes needed (e.g. golf swing)