1 Lesson Objective LESSON OBJECTIVE To understand the definition and characteristics of skill and ability and be able to classify skills, using a continuum. LESSON OUTCOME By the end of the lesson you should be able to;  Give the definitions of both skill and ability and describe the characteristics of both.  Classify a variety of skills, using a continuum and by able to justify your answers.  Apply the knowledge you have learn to answer exam questions.

2 Skill and Ability Skill Knapp: ‘ The learned ability to bring about predetermined results with maximum certainty, often with the minimum outlay of time or energy or both.’ Ability ‘A stable, enduring, mainly genetically determined characteristic that underlies skilled performance and can be used in a variety of skills.’

3Characteristics SKILL Learned Repeated success Efficient Co- ordination/ controlled Fluent/ smooth Minimal outlay of energy Aesthetically pleasing Precise/ accurate ABILITY Innate Enduring Underpins the development of skilled actions

4 Types of Skill Cognitive Thinking what to do. Psychomotor Movement skills Perceptual Skill of selecting, recognising and organising. Types of Ability Motor Ability Series of underlying abilities to move limbs successfully. Determine balance, co-ordination, reaction time. Perceptual Ability Acquiring, recognising selecting and organising information from senses

5 EXAM QUESTION QUESTION Successful triple jumpers will use their abilities to improve their level of skill. (a)Briefly explain the terms ability and skill. (2 marks) (b)What are the characteristics of a skilled performance? (3 marks) ANSWER (a) Ability – born with / genetic / inherited; Skill – learned; (b) Repeated success/ very few mistakes / maximum certainty; Efficiency / minimisation of time / quick; Co-ordination / controlled; Fluency / flowing / smooth; Minimal outlay of energy / effortless; Aesthetically pleasing; Precise / Accurate / Correct;

6 Classifying Skills - Categorising skills in a group. - A continuum is a link between two extremes that blend from one to the other gradually- it is impossible to say where one becomes the next. Open- Closed Continuum Self Paced- Externally Paced Continuum Gross- Fine Continuum Discrete- Serial- Continuous Continuum How much the performance of the skill is affected by factors outside of the performer – the environment. How much control the performer has over the rate and the timing of the action. The level or precision or fine control that the performer uses when performing the skill. Whether it is possible to determine the movement has a definite beginning or end.

Goalie save Football pass Netball pass Tennis stroke Tennis serve Football penalty Shotput Swimming dive OpenClosed Yacting Receiving a tennis serve Football match Diving Tennis serve Weight lifting Externally pacedSelf paced Weight lifting Javelin throw Netball pass Cricket stroke Golf shot Ten pin bowling Darts Snooker GrossFine Weight lifting Javelin throw High jump Basketball dribble Running Cycling DiscreteSerialContinuous Classifying Skills

8 EXAM QUESTION QUESTION Successful triple jumpers will use their abilities to improve their level of skill. The skill of triple jumping can be classified according to various skill continua. Classify the long jump according to the following four continua and justify each of your choices. open to closed self-paced or externally paced discrete to continuous gross to fine(4 marks) ANSWER Closed –stable environment; Self-paced-performer decides when to start / and or jump; Discrete – distinct beginning and end / serial series of discrete tasks; Gross – involves large muscle groups;