4.1 Classification Of Motor Skills Flashcards
What is classification?
Process of grouping similar skills together and giving them a generic label 
What is a continuum?
An imaginary scale between two extremes which show a gradual increase/decrease in a number of characteristics 
What three factors affect motor skills
1.precision of movement
2.definite beginning/end
3.environmental influence
What are the six different continuum?
– Difficulty (simple/complex)
– environmental influence (open/closed)
- pacing (self-paced/externally paced)
- Muscular involvement (gross/fine)
– continuity (discreet/serial/continuous)
Organisation (low/high)
Simple skills
– Straightforward skills.
– routines
– Hardy, any judgement or decisions
– taught as a whole
Complex skills
– complicated skills
– requiring a lot of attention/practice.
– require a large number of interlink subroutines.
– involve lots of decisions.
– taught in stages
Example of simple skill
Sprint start in swimming
Example of complex skill
Slip, catch in cricket
Open skills
– Require perceptual monitoring (the performer, perceives information which stimulates the skill response)
– occur in an unpredictable environment.
– requires decision-making.
– usually externally paste
Example of open skill
Pass in football
Simple – complex continuum
Based on types of judgements and decision performer has to make
Open - closed continuum
Concerned with the effects of environment
Closed skills
– Pre-learned and habitual
– no external requirements.
– occur in a predictable environment.
– follow a set pattern with a definite beginning and end.
– usually self-paced paste
Example of closed skills
Tennis serve
Externally paced - self paced continuum
Refers to timing of movement
Externally paced skills
– Speed and precision, with which the skill is executed or controlled by the environment/surroundings of the performer.
– involves reaction.
– usually an open skill
Example of externally paced skills
Receiving tennis serve
Self-paced skills
– Rate of action is controlled by the performer.
– skill is generally more closed habitual
Example of self-paced skills
Tennis serve
Gross – fine continuum
Concerned with the precision of movement
Gross skills
– Use large muscle movements.
– little need for precision.
– include many fundamental movement patterns, such as jumping
Example of gross skill
Olympic weightlifting
Fine skills
- use small muscle groups
- intricate movements
- need for precision
- high degree of hand eye coordination
Example of fine skills
Snooker shot