Topic 3 Chapter 10: 3.2.1 - 3.2.2 - Classification and Transfer of Skills

Question 1

What is a skill?

Answer 1

A skill is a learned ability to choose and perform the right technique at the right time with minimal effort.

Question 2

What are the three types of skill?

Answer 2

• Cognitive – involves thought processes
• Perceptual – involves interpreting
  information
• Motor – involves movement

Question 3

What is a technique?

Answer 3

A technique is the basic movement or action in a sport. It is sport-specific and often event or position-specific (e.g. a block start in 100m sprint).

Question 4

How do technique and skill relate? And give the equation.

Answer 4

A skill is the application of a technique with appropriate decision-making and timing.
Equation: SKILL = ABILITY + TECHNIQUE

Question 5

What is ability?

Answer 5

An inherited trait or characteristic that underpins and supports skill development. Abilities can be perceptual, motor, or a combination (psychomotor).

Question 6

What is meant by “psychomotor ability”?

Answer 6

A combination of perceptual and motor abilities essential for performing physical tasks.

Question 7

What are the three key factors affecting motor skill classification?

Answer 7

• Precision of movement
• Clarity of beginning and end
• Influence of the environment

Question 8

What is the purpose of using a continuum when classifying skills?

Answer 8

To better reflect the varying characteristics of skills, as they rarely fit neatly into one category.

Question 9

What are the 4 key skill classification continuums?

Answer 9

1. Muscular Involvement (Gross ↔ Fine)
2. Environmental (Open ↔ Closed)
3. Pacing (Externally paced ↔ Internally paced)
4. Continuity (Discrete ↔ Serial ↔ Continuous)

Question 10

What is the muscular involvement continuum?

Answer 10

1. Gross skills: Involve large muscle groups and power (e.g. rugby tackle)
2. Fine skills: Involve small muscle groups and precision (e.g. dart throw)

Question 11

What is the environmental continuum?

Answer 11

1. Open skills: Performed in unpredictable environments requiring adaptation (e.g. football pass)
2. Closed skills: Performed in predictable, stable environments (e.g. gymnastics routine)

Question 12

What is the pacing continuum?

Answer 12

1. Self-paced skills: Initiated and controlled by the performer (e.g. golf putt)
2. Externally paced skills: Controlled by external factors (e.g. tennis return)

Question 13

What is the continuity continuum?

Answer 13

1. Discrete skills: Clear beginning and end (e.g. javelin throw)
2. Serial skills: Series of discrete skills (e.g. triple jump)
3. Continuous skills: No clear start or end (e.g. running)

Question 14

What is an externally paced skill?

Answer 14

A skill that responds to external stimuli or changes in the environment (reaction-based).

Question 15

What is an internally paced skill?

Answer 15

A skill controlled by the performer regarding timing and speed (proactive).

Question 16

What makes practice purposeful in skill development?

Answer 16

• It aligns with skill classification
• It is age and stage appropriate
• It includes high-quality, relevant repetition

Question 17

What is transfer of learning?

Answer 17

The influence of learning one skill on the learning or performance of another skill.

Question 18

What is positive transfer?

Answer 18

Positive Transfer - One skill helps the learning/performance of another

Question 19

What is negative transfer

Answer 19

Negative Transfer - One skill hinders the learning/performance of another

Question 20

What is zero transfer

Answer 20

Zero Transfer - No effect between skills

Question 20

What is pro-active transfer

Answer 20

Pro-active Transfer - Current learning affects future skills

Question 21

What is retro-active transfer

Answer 21

Retro-active Transfer - New learning affects previously learned skills

Question 22

What is bilateral transfer

Answer 22

Bilateral Transfer - Skill transfers from one side of the body to the other

Question 23

What is an example of positive transfer?

Answer 23

A netball player learning to pass a basketball using a chest pass, as the techniques and movement patterns are very similar.

Question 24

What is an example of negative transfer?

Answer 24

A tennis player learning badminton and using the wrist too much in overhead shots, which reduces control in badminton where a shorter backswing is needed.

Question 25

What is an example of zero transfer?

Answer 25

A swimmer learning to play table tennis – the two skills are so different that one has no effect on the other.

Question 26

What is an example of pro-active transfer?

Answer 26

A young athlete learning basic catching skills that later help them when learning how to catch in cricket or baseball.

Question 27

What is an example of retro-active transfer?

Answer 27

A footballer learning to volley in beach football and later applying that improved control and balance to their standard football volley technique.

Question 28

What is an example of bilateral transfer?

Answer 28

A hockey player learning to dribble with their non-dominant hand after mastering dribbling with their dominant hand.

Question 29

How can coaches support positive transfer?

Answer 29

- Emphasise similarities between new and learned skills - Build new learning on previous experiences - Use analogies and familiar movements - Teach tactical understanding that applies across sports