Skill Acquisition

Question 1

What is visual guidance?

Answer 1

Guidance that a player or performer can see/look at.

Question 2

A) Describe an example of visual guidance that could be used when learning a skill of your choice.
B) Explain when and how your example is a helpful form of guidance.

Answer 2

A) Example:
A teacher or coach:
• showing you a video or DVD/ of someone performing a lay up shot in basketball
• showing you a photo or poster/ of someone performing a lay up shot in basketball
• giving you a demonstration/ of performing a lay up shot in basketball

B) It is helpful to a beginner/ as they may not know what a lay up shot is/ what it looks like/ or how it is performed.
They can see clearly the correct model/ and copy it.

Question 3

Describe what is meant by an open skill.

Answer 3

2 marks -
A skill that takes place in an ever changing environment/ movements vary as a result of opponents or other environmental factors

Question 4

Give an example of an open skill from a named activity.

Answer 4

A skill from a game, e.g. dribbling the ball in hockey, football, basketball

Question 5

Which type of practice would be most beneficial for improving an open skill?

Answer 5

“Variable”.

Question 6

Name a basic skill/technique/movement from a sport/activity of your choice and describe how you would teach it to a beginner (4 marks)

Answer 6

Catching in a named game/ arms extended/ fingers reaching towards the ball/ eyes on the ball/ hands and arms “give”/ as ball is caught/ the ball is brought in towards the body

Question 7

Explain what is meant by ‘feedback’ in terms of acquiring skill (2)

Answer 7

Example:
• This is the information a performer receives back from a performance./ It can be in the form of continuous; terminal;
knowledge of results; knowledge of performance; internal,
intrinsic; external, extrinsic;positive or negative.

NB Just a list of types of feedback is not acceptable.

Question 8

What is meant by ‘motivation’? (2)

Answer 8

Examples:
• It is an incentive /or desire to do well / and this in turn means that the performer is more likely to want to do well / and will
therefore put more effort into acquiring the skills necessary which in effect can increase the levels of skill acquisition.

Question 9

How can motivation affect skill acquisition? (2)

Answer 9

Motivation can be either intrinsic, considering such factors as internal drive; satisfaction or pride; a challenge; to keep
fit; or for enjoyment /or extrinsic, Considering such factors as external rewards such as money; prizes; cups or medals. / This in turn leads to greater interest in acquiring skills / which in turn leads to higher levels of skill acquisition.

Note that negative effects are also acceptable.