1. Motor Learning and Skill Acquisition

2. Divisions of Motor Activity
Motor activity can be divided into two divisions:
Automatic motor activity
Controlled motor activity
Automatic motor activity involved very little thought
Results in movement that appears to be an unconscious reflex action
i.e. Batter ducking out of the way before a rogue pitch hits them

3. Controlled Motor Activity
Needs more thought and time to perform
Example: a soccer player weaving in and out of opponents during a game
Processing more information as he/she is moving
Where are the opponents?
Where are my teammates?
How far am I from the goal?

4. Principle of Individual Differences
Just as people have difference anatomical and physiological makeups they also vary in terms of how quickly and easily they learn a new motor skill
Dependent on many things
Natural ability
Willingness to try new things
Coordination

5. Stages-of-Learning Model
Developed by two American researcher: Paul Fitts and Michael Posner
In seeking to explain how people acquire new skills, Fitts and Posner came up with a three- stage description
People go through stages gradually
Cognitive
Associative
Autonomous

6. Cognitive Stage
People must come to some basic understanding of the task
Learners often commit large errors in performing the new task
Learner may be aware of their errors but need specific instruction on how to improve
i.e. A child learning to play soccer will first need to understand the fundamentals – no hands (except goalie), scoring a goal, moving with the ball, basic rules etc.

7. Associative Stage
Learners begin to refine the skill they have been trying to master during the cognitive stage
Learners go beyond the basic mechanics of the skill and develop some awareness of the mistakes they were making
This leads to fewer and less pronounced errors
i.e. The soccer player may not be able to kick a ball “on target” but will develop an awareness as to why

8. Autonomous Stage Skill becomes almost “automatic”
Learner will not spend as much time actually thinking about the basic fundamentals of their activity
Able to “just do” the activity while concentrating on certain specialized and highly refined aspects of the skill
i.e. Soccer player can attempt to “curve” or “bend” a shot towards the goal

9. Factors Affecting Skill Development
Factors such as fatigue, nervousness, weather, and distractions can lead to information being misprocessed by the athlete and therefore cause errors
British track and field coach Brian Mackenzie has identified 7 reasons for faults and errors:
Incorrect understanding of the movement, poor physical abilities, poor coordination of movement, incorrect application of power, lack of concentration, inappropriate equipment, external factors (i.e. weather)‏

10. Teaching and Learning a Skill
Singer's five-step process – developed by University of Florida psychologist Robert Singer
This method utilized 5 basic building blocks in the teaching and learning of a skill
5 steps are:
Readying
Imaging
Focusing
Executing
Evaluating

11. Readying Also known as the preparatory stage
Work to attain the ideal mental and emotional state for learning a skill
May involve making sure the learner has the correct equipment, feels ready to begin a practice session, and has completed a proper warm-up

12. Imaging and Focusing Imaging Focusing
The learner must develop a “picture” in his or her mind of the correct execution of the skill components
Teacher or coach can assist by demonstrating the skill
Focusing
Teaching the learner to block out all internal and external distractions

13. Executing and Evaluating
Learner actually attempts the desired skill after completing the three preparatory skills
Evaluating
Learner and coach attempt to assess which aspects of the skill were performed successfully and which need improvement

14. Feedback
The information a learner obtains regarding how they are progressing in learning to perform a skill
Can assist in improvement
Two kinds of feedback
1. KR feedback – knowledge of the results of an action
2. KP feedback – knowledge gained by performance

15. Transferability
The fact that skills, when learned in the context of improving performance in one sport, can often be applied, or transferred, to a different sport
i.e. Someone learning a skill that emphasizes hand-eye coordination – a volleyball serve, will be able to transfer this skill to a slapshot in hockey or a lay-up in basketball

16. Closed Skill vs. Open Skill
Open skill: performed in an unpredictable environment that requires participants to adapt their movements to the changing nature of that environment (soccer)‏
Closed skill: performed in a predictable environment and permits participants to plan their movements in advance (archery)‏

17. Skills Observation NCCP: National Coaching Certification Program
Identified two distinct stages of skill observation
1. Identify the purpose of the skill – why must the task be performed? i.e. A jumpshot in basketball is used to score points.
2. Break the skill into phases
NCCP has identified 5 phases of a skill

18. 1. Preliminary Movements
Movements needed to get ready for a skill
Includes necessary footwork
Balancing
Body positioning
etc.

19. Back-Swing or Recovery Movements
Movements that take place just before the force-producting movements
Back-swing in golf
Arm recovery movement in a repetitive activity like swimming

20. Force-Producing Movements
Movements executed to produce force for impact or propulsion
Forward swing of the leg and foot in a soccer kick

21. Critical Instant
The point that determines how effective the execution of a skill is going to be
Nothing can be done at the critical instant to alter its effectiveness
i.e. Final foot-plant of a long jumper after sprinting down the runway

22. The Follow-Through
Movements that take place after the critical instant
In many skills it is crucial to the skill being completed successfully
Slow body parts down therefore prevent injuries
i.e. Spike in volleyball, jumpshot, etc.

23. For Tomorrow
In groups of 4 or 5 pick a skill that you will teach the class
Keep in mind
Breakdown of the skill
5 phases
Feedback
We will be in the small gym/weight room tomorrow. Bring gym clothes!