Skill Acquisition - Transfer of skills

Question 1

Identify the different ways that skills can be transferred

Answer 1

Positive
Negative
Proactive
Retroactive
Bilateral

Question 2

Explain, using an example, how positive transfer can occur in sports

Answer 2

Positive transfer is when the learning of one skill helps the performance of another.
E.g. having learnt to throw a ball overarm in rounders can hero with the action of throwing a javelin because they use similar motor programmes.

Question 3

Explain, using an example, how negative transfer can occur in sports

Answer 3

Negative transfer is when the learning of one skill hinders the performance of another.
e.g. learning a slap shot in hockey can hinder your performance of a drive in golf, as they are similar movements but require small differences in technique that can be confusing to adapt, as they require different levels of power

Question 4

Explain, using an example, how proactive transfer can occur in sports

Answer 4

Proactive transfer is when a previously learnt skill can affect the performance of a new skill ( can be positive or negative).
e.g. having learnt to throw a ball overarm in rounders can help with the action of throwing a javelin because they use similar motor programmes.

Question 5

Explain using an example of how retroactive transfer can occur in sports

Answer 5

Retroactive transfer is when the learning of a new skill can affect the performance of a previously learnt skill (can be positive or negative)
e.g. learning a new skill of a slap shot in hockey can affect your already learnt skill of a drive in golf as you may try to hit the ball too hard or swing too quickly.

Question 6

Explain using an example of how bilateral transfer can occur in sports

Answer 6

Bilateral transfer is when the learning of a skill can be transferred from one limb/ side of the body to another.
e.g. if you have learnt how to pass a ball with your right foot, you can transfer the skill to your left foot

Question 7

How can a coach promote positive transfer?

Answer 7

In order to achieve positive transfer a coach can:
- make sure the 1st skill is well learnt
- make sure the similarities and differences between the two skills are understood
- don’t teach the 2 skills too closely together

Question 8

How can a coach help to avoid negative transfer

Answer 8

• Make sure the athlete is aware of the differences between the two skills
• Don’t teach the skills too closely together
• make sure 1st skill is well learnt
• make practice sessions similar to match situations to ensure a larger, generalised motor programme