1. Skill Acquisition

2. Learning & Practicing Physical Skills
Skill Acquisition:
This is the study of the way in which an individual develops skills.
In this area of study we will examine how skills are learnt, how performance is analysed and how skill learning can be improved.

3. What are the characteristics of a skilled performer?

5. Characteristics of a skilled performance
A skilled Performer:
Performs consistently
Is accurate
Can vary the speed, accuracy & uniformity of the movement
Produces movements that are efficient and coordinated
Can react & adapt quickly to the demands of the activity
Focuses on the strategies of the game rather than performing the movement (automatic execution)
Is organised and has time to perform skills
Has good anticipation.

6. What is a skill? Definition of a Skill:
is being able to perform a movement to achieve a particular objective and involves a sequence of movements learned through practice over a period of time.
“A skilled performer is able to adapt & change the required action to meet the demands of a competitive situation.”

7. Fundamental Motor Skills
The development of the motor skills used in sport is based on a small number of fundamental motor skill we ‘should’ learn during childhood.
Mastering the fundamental motor skills is necessary for the development of more complex movement patterns
E.g. Prep-Yr 3: running, catching, kicking, jumping
Yr 1-Yr 4: overhead throw, bounce ball, leap, dodge
Yr 2 – Yr 5: punt kick, forehand strike, two-hand side arm strike

8. Organisation of Motor Skills
Motor skills are organised through a plan of action or motor program
The performance of the motor program depends on the sequence and organisation of the movement.
Most motor skills are made up of a number of related parts or components known as SUBROUTINES.

9. Subroutines of a tennis serve

18. STAGES OF LEARNING Cognitive Beginners stage
Requires explanation and demonstration
Understand what needs to be done
Understand equipment and how it is used
Identify sub-routines in order
Experience the ‘feel’ of the movement

19. Associative
Practice stage
Large number of practice trials needed
Familiarisation with sub-routines and their timing
Use of feedback to recognise and reduce errors
Use of feedback to adjust technique

20. 3. Autonomous
Advanced stage
Order and timing of sub-routines is automated
Attention can be given to other tasks (e.g. Tactics)
Speed and effectiveness increased
Skill techniques ‘fine tuned’ with specific practice
Skills adapted easily to competitive situations
An individual will naturally progress through the stages of learning through teacher/coach guidance and practice. However, some people may never reach the autonomous phase