DEFINING SKILLS

Application of the term ‘skill’ The word skill is used in different ways: 1 It can be used when talking about an activity eg. Swimmng, tennis. 2 It is more frequently used to describe the actions or techniques used within the activities eg. A chest pass, a handstand. 3It is used to indicate the quality of a performance. An action performed well may be described as a skill. In this context the performer may be referred to as ‘skilled’ or ‘skillful’.

B. KNAPP’S DEFINITION OF SKILL ‘THE LEARNED ABILITY TO BRING ABOUT PRE-DETERMINED RESULTS WITH MAXIMUM CERTAINTY OFTEN WITH THE MNIMUM OUTLAY OF TIME OR ENERGY OR BOTH’

COMPONENTS OF SKILL SKILL LEARNEDFLUENTAESTHETIC FOLLOWS A TECHNICAL MODEL GOAL DIRECTED EFFICIENT

TASK 1: Use Knapp’s definition to help you decide which words are most likely to describe an expert or a novice performing the same activity. Word list: smooth, precise, flowing, jerky, efficient, awkward, tiring, economic, inaccurate, aesthetic, consistent, uncontrolled, learned, pleasing to watch, fluent, goal-directed, coordinated, fluke, successful, pre-determined, follows a technical model. EXPERTNOVICE

TYPES OF SKILL COGNITIVE SKILLS - often referred to as intellectual skills as they involve thought processes such as problem solving eg. Deciding which tactics to use in a game of hockey or in a 1500m race. PERCEPTUAL SKILLS - these involve the detection and interpretation of information using our senses. They allow us to make decisions about where, when and how to make our actions, such as passing a ball. MOTOR SKILLS - these involve controlled muscular movements eg. Running, swimming, jumping.

PERCEPTUAL MOTOR / PSYCHOMOTOR SKILLS Most skills used in physical activities involve aspects of all three types; cognitive, perceptual and motor skills. They involve thinking, detecting and interpreting information and the performance of movements. They are called perceptual motor skills or psychomotor skills.