Section 2.1 Skill characteristics and impact on transfer and practice

Question 1

What is the definition of a skill?

Answer 1

Learned ability to bring about pre-determined results

Question 2

What are the characteristics of a good performance of a skill?

Answer 2

• learned
• consistent
• accuracy
• controlled
• goal directed
• fluent
• economical
• efficient
  (ACEFACE)

Question 3

What is the definition of an open skill?

Answer 3

A skill performed in an unpredictable environment

Question 4

What is the definition of a closed skill?

Answer 4

A skill performed in a predictable environment

Question 5

What is the definition of a gross skill?

Answer 5

A skill that uses large muscle groups

Question 6

What is the definition of a fine skill?

Answer 6

A skill that uses smaller muscle groups

Question 7

What is the definition of a self-paced skill?

Answer 7

When the performer controls the start and the speed of the skill

Question 8

What is the definition of an externally paced skill?

Answer 8

When the performer has no control over the start and the speed of the skill

Question 9

What is the definition of a discrete skill?

Answer 9

A skill that has a clear beginning and end

Question 10

What is the definition of a sub-routine?

Answer 10

The actions that form the parts of a skill

Question 11

What is the definition of a serial skill?

Answer 11

A skill that contains several discrete skills in order to make a more integrated movement

Question 12

What is the definition of a low-organised skill?

Answer 12

A skill that is easily broken into parts

Question 13

What is the definition of a continuous skill?

Answer 13

Has no clear beginning or end and often the end of one sub-routine is the start on next

Question 14

What is the definition of a high- organised skill?

Answer 14

A skill that is not easily broken into parts

Question 15

What is the definition of a simple skill?

Answer 15

A skill that requires few decisions when being performed

Question 16

What is the definition of a complex skill?

Answer 16

A skill that requires decision making using lots of information when performed

Question 17

What is transfer of learning?

Answer 17

The effect of the learning and performance of one skill on the learning and performance of another

Question 18

What is the definition of a positive transfer?

Answer 18

When the learning of one skill helps the learning of another

Question 19

What is the definition of a negative transfer?

Answer 19

When the learning of one skill hinders the learning of another

Question 20

What is the definition of zero transfer?

Answer 20

When the learning of one skill has no impact on the learning of another

Question 21

What is the definition of bilateral transfer?

Answer 21

When the learning of one skill is passed across the body from limb to limb

Question 22

How can a coach encourage positive transfer?

Answer 22

• make it realistic
• skill well learned before moving on (planned progression)
• reward and reinforcement

Question 23

What is the definition of whole practice?

Answer 23

Practising the skill in its entirety without breaking it up into sub-routines

Question 24

When is whole practice used?

Answer 24

• The skill is fast, ballistic and discrete
• Highly-organised
• simple, doesn’t require much thought
• get the kinesthesis feel
• autonomous stage
• links between sub-routines need to be maintained

Question 25

What are the advantages of whole practice?

Answer 25

- gives kinesthesis feel and link between each sub-routine - create specific images stored as motor programmes (LTM) - More realistic, creates positive transfer between skills learned and performed in a match - Makes the skill consistent

Question 26

What are the disadvantage of whole practice?

Answer 26

- put unnecessary demands on the performer (beginner) - Fatigue - information overload

Question 27

What is the definition of whole-part-whole practice?

Answer 27

Assessing the skill, identifying a weakness to practice, then putting the skill back together

Question 28

When is whole-part-whole practice used?

Answer 28

- Beginner doing a complex task - focus on weaknesses

Question 29

What are the advantages of whole-part-whole practice?

Answer 29

- provide motivation when success is achieved - provides immediate feedback - Fluency and integration of sub-routine maintained - kinesthesis feel maintained

Question 30

What are the disadvantages of whole-part-whole practice?

Answer 30

- produce negative transfers - Must be linked back to whole skill as soon as possible - long process

Question 31

What is the definition of progressive part practice?

Answer 31

Practising the first part of the skill then adding parts gradually. sometimes called chaining

Question 32

What is the definition of chaining?

Answer 32

Linking the sub-routines, or parts of a task, together in order when practising

Question 33

When is progressive part practice used?

Answer 33

- Serial skills - Dangerous skills - low-organised skill - complex skill

Question 34

What are the advantages of progressive part practice?

Answer 34

- focus on one aspect of the task - correct weakness - rest, fatigue reduced - success achieved = increased motivation levels - builds initial understanding, improved confidence - focus on specific issues

Question 35

What are the disadvantages of progressive part practice?

Answer 35

- time-consuming - neglect kinesthesis feel/ ignore links between sub-routines - negative transfer between parts of the sequence

Question 36

What is the definition of massed practice?

Answer 36

No rest intervals during the practice session

Question 37

What is the definition of distributed practice?

Answer 37

Rest intervals are given during the practice session

Question 38

What is the definition of varied practice?

Answer 38

Changing the practice type and the practice drills

Question 39

What is the definition of mental practice?

Answer 39

Going over the skill in the mind without movement

Question 40

what are the advantages of massed practice?

Answer 40

- forms motor programmes - increases fitness - enhances over learning - good for habitual responses - efficient

Question 41

What are the disadvantages of massed practice?

Answer 41

- no time for feedback - fatigue - Too demanding

Question 42

What are the advantages of distributed practice?

Answer 42

- allows recovery - less mental practice - allows mental rehearsal/feedback - reduces danger

Question 43

What are the negatives of distributed practice?

Answer 43

- time consuming - Negative transfer

Question 44

What are the advantages of varied practice?

Answer 44

- Builds schema - gives motivation - allows adaption

Question 45

What are the disadvantage of varied practice?

Answer 45

- time consuming - possibility of negative transfer - fatigue - too demanding

Question 46

What are the advantages of mental practice?

Answer 46

- improves reaction time - builds motor programmes - builds confidence - controls anxiety