skill, skill continuums and transfer of skills

Question 1

what are the characteristics of a skill

Answer 1

• aesthetically pleasing
• consistant
• efficient
• fluent
  -learned
• accurate
• goal directed

Question 2

definition of open and closed skill

Answer 2

open = the sporting environment changes while the skill is being performed
closed = the sporting environment condition are stable, enabling the performer to repeat the same movement in pattern

Question 3

definition of gross and fine skills

Answer 3

gross = large muscle groups are used to perform the skill
fine = small muscles are used to. perform a skill hat requires precision

Question 4

define self and externally paced

Answer 4

self = the performer is in control of the speed and timing of the skill
externally = the performer must adapt as they have no timing and speed of the skill

Question 5

define high and low organised skill

Answer 5

high = the skill is difficult to break down into parts due to the speed at which the action is performed
low = the skill can easily be broken down into parts

Question 6

define simple and complex skills

Answer 6

simple = limited decision making is required
complex = several decisions must be made

Question 7

define discrete, serial and continuous

Answer 7

discrete = the skill has a clear beginning and ending, and is one distinct action
serial = a number of discrete skills are performed together sequentially, creating another skill
continuous = the skill has no clear beginning or ending

Question 8

what are the four types of transfers

Answer 8

1. positive
2. negative
3. zero
4. bilateral

Question 9

define positive transfer

Answer 9

learning a skill that helps the learning of an additional skill

Question 10

define negative transfer

Answer 10

learning a skill that hinders the learning of an additional skill

Question 11

define zero transfer

Answer 11

there are no similarities between the tasks, therefor there is no effect on either skill

Question 12

define bilateral transfer

Answer 12

learning and performing a skill on one side of the body is then transferred to the other side

Question 13

what are the 3 types of practice

Answer 13

1. whole
2. whole-part-whole
3. progressive part

Question 14

define whole practice + advantages and disadvantages

Answer 14

the skill is presented in its entirety and not broken down into parts
advantages
- not time consuming
- creates a clear mental image
- helps understanding
disadvantages
- not ideal for cognitive performers
- can cause info overload and fatigue
- must be physically capable of performing the full skill

Question 15

define whole-part-whole practice + advantages and disadvantages

Answer 15

the learner attempts the full skill, then one subroutine is practiced in isolation before going back to the entire skill
advantages
- weak parts of the skill can be improved
- fluency between subroutines can be maintained
- confidence and motivation increase as success is seen in each part
disadvantages
- time consuming
- cannot use with highly organised skills
- fluency can be affected if the part isn’t integrated quickly or adequately

Question 16

define progressive part practice + advantages and disadvantages

Answer 16

the first subroutine is taught and practiced until perfected. the rest of the subroutines and then sequentially added until the whole skill can be performed
advantages
- aids understanding of each part
- danger is reduced
- reduces chance of overload and fatigue

Question 17

what are the 4 types of practice

Answer 17

1. massed
2. distributed
3. variable
4. mental

Question 18

define massed practice + advantages and disadvantages

Answer 18

continuous practice without rest periods
advantages
- grooves skills so it becomes habitual
- motor programmes are formed
- improved fitness
disadvantages
- causes fatigue
- performer may not be physically capable of undertaking the practice
- no time for feedback

Question 19

define distributed practice + advantages and disadvantages

Answer 19

practice with rest periods included
advantages
- more effective than massed practice
- allows more time for physical recovery
- coach can give back feedback
disadvantages
- time consuming
- can cause negative transfer

Question 20

define variable practice + advantages and disadvantages

Answer 20

practising skills and drills in a constantly changing environment
advantages
- develops schema
- increases motivation
- positive transfer from training to the game
disadvantages
- time consuming
- can cause fatigue
- possible information overload

Question 21

define mental practice + advantages and disadvantages

Answer 21

going over the skill in your mind without moving (internal + external)
advantages
- produces a clear mental image
- increases confidence
- reaction time improves
disadvantages
- difficult for cognitive learners to complete effectively
- mental image must be accurate
- difficult if environment is not quiet

Question 22

what are the 3 stages of learning

Answer 22

1. cognitive
2. associative
3. autonomous

Question 23

what is the cognitive stage

Answer 23

• performer begins to have a clear image of what the skill is supposed to look like
• many mistakes are made
• performer uses trial and error
• the performer is reliant on extrinsic feedback from the coach to direct performance and highlight weaknesses

Question 24

what is the associative stage

Answer 24

• the performer must continue practicing
• performer becomes more proficient, making fewer mistakes
• movements appear more coordinated and smoother
• the performer begins to use intrinsic feedback as they will know how the movement is supposed to feel

Question 25

what is the autonomous stage

Answer 25

- movements are fluent, efficient and have become habitual do to extensive training - skills are executed automatically without thinking - the performer uses intrinsic feedback to fix their own mistakes by means of kinaesthesis

Question 26

define a learning plateau

Answer 26

is a period during performance where there are no signs of improvement

Question 27

what are the causes of a learning plateau

Answer 27

- loss of motivation or boredom - mental/physical fatigue - limit of ability is reached - poor coaching - incorrect goals set

Question 28

what is the cognitive insight learning theory (Gestalt)

Answer 28

he believed that we learn the skill through experiencing the whole skill/task, rather then isolating it into different parts. it is cognitive learner so they use their experiences and prior knowledge to help with the situation in hand. they use their insight and adapt to the sporting situation which they are faced with e.g. if something that worked in the previous game you will try it in this game

Question 29

what is the Behaviourism: operant conditioning (skinner) theory

Answer 29

learning happens by making and strengthening a link/association between a stimulus and a response (known as a S - R bond) these are formed by reinforcement. skinner suggested that reinforced actions are strengthened and that incorrect actions are weakened. the coach should - allow the performer to use trial and error - manipulate the environment to ensure the successful/ desired response occurs - offer a reward such as positive reinforcement - offer a punishment is the incorrect response is shown positive and negative reinforcement is that S - R bonds are formed

Question 30

what is social learning: observational learning (Bandura)

Answer 30

suggests that we learn from watching and replicating the actions of other 'model' performers, whom we admire and respect. Bandura believed that performers can learn new skills by engaging with four key processes 1. attention 2. retention 3. motor production 4. motivation

Question 31

what is constructivism: social development theory (Vygotsky)

Answer 31

Vygotsky believed that we learn skills from people around us with whom we interact with, there are 3 main aspects to this theory: 1. the role of social interaction - social learning comes before development e.g. watching a sibling do a handstand 2. more knowledgeable other (MKO) - a teacher or coach who has a greater understanding of the task then you do - they give you technical advice and feedback on how to produce the skill e.g. where to place your hands in a handstand 3. zone of proximal development - what the learner needs to do next to learn a skill which has 3 stages: - achieve independently without assistance - achieve with help from MKO - not to do at this moment in time