Critically analyse how the transfer of learning can be effectively enhanced in individual, racket and team activities.

Negative transfer is a previously learnt skill, which interferes with the learning of a new skill, the two skills will have the same movement patterns but they are not identical.  Sprinting and hurdling require the same movement pattern of running but the hurdler has to think about the pace of their run in order to jump the hurdle. Negative transfer is rare and mostly temporary. It is normally associated with the performer misunderstanding the movement requirements rather having problems with the movement control. Negative transfer often occurs when a familiar stimulus requires a new response, maybe if the demands of a new response are so similar to the old demands that the performer becomes confused. The change of location could start negative transfer.  For example a tennis player may misjudge their shots playing indoor, as the techniques needed are faintly different to playing outdoors.

The final transfer of learning is bilateral this is transferring a skill from one limb to another, it is the ability to learn/ perform a skill more easily with one hand / foot after the skill has been practised with the opposite hand / foot. For example a tennis serve, hitting the ball over the net with the weaker side you will transfer the skill movement from your long term memory in what you learnt with the dominant hand. You will transfer the way you hold and grip the racket and the movement of your arm in the follow through. When thinking about the component parts of the movement can improve the transfer. When you learn the skill you do not have to start from scratch. A schema already exists for the original limb. The schema will only have to be modified for the new limb.  

Long-term memory is information store in the brain that has a limitless capacity and holds information for long periods of time. Motor programmes are stored in the long-term memory because they have been rehearsed may times. The process of continued rehearsal leads to the skill becoming almost automatic. If you are regularly using the particular motor skills you a more likely to remember them for example once you have learnt to skim you are unlikely to forget how to do it.

Bibliography

Honeybourne, J. Hill, M, & Moors, H. (2000) Advanced PE & Sport A Level Second Edition, Cheltenham, Nelson Thornes.

Galligan, F. Maskey, C. Spence, J. Howe, D. Barry, T. Ruston, A & Crawford, D. (2000) Advanced PE for edexcel

Beashel, J. and Taylor, J. (1996) Advanced studies in physical education and sport. 

Www.brianmac.demon.co.uk/tech.htm

Www.wikipedia.org/wiki/transfer_of_learning