Review the classifications of skills to include the differences between individual, co-active and interactive skills.

Authors Avatar

AS Physical Education.

Skill Acquisition Coursework Task One.

Review the classifications of skills to include the differences between individual, co-active and interactive skills.

   The aim of this coursework is to review the various classifications of skill. Within it I will outline the differences between Individual, co-active and interactive skills.  These are all used in team games, racket games and individual activities, in which case I will provide examples highlighting when and where they take place.

 ‘Skill’ can be defined as:

             “The learned ability to bring about predetermined results with maximum certainty often with the minimum outlay of time of energy or both” (Guthrie, 1956)

  • A skill is learned and requires practice and results from experience. It can be improved with practice.
  • A skill always brings about an end result and has a goal to be aimed for.
  • A skilled performer can achieve their goals consistently, in an efficient movement. It is well co-ordinated and precise.

Skill  =  Ability + Technique.

  • In order to perform a skill efficiently, we must learn the required technique.
  • In order to learn a technique fully, we must have the necessary abilities.

For a performance to be skilful it requires:

  • Consistency
  • Accuracy
  • Control
  • An intension
  • Fluidity

   Skills can be classified on a sliding scale depending on their requirements these are called continuums.  Continuums demonstrate the need for a flexible and analytical approach.

   An Individual skill is when a performer performs alone with no interaction with others. On the other hand, co-active skills are those in which competitors are performing at the same time as others but where they are physically separate and one competitor cannot inhabit the performance of another, for example a swimming race, in lanes, in this people are in separate lanes and competing individually however all at the same time, if a performer enters the lane of another performer then they are penalised. An interactive skill involves the performer interacting with the environment or other performers, in these the performance can be controlled by the opposition. How well you play is dependent on how well your opponent allows you to play. Examples of all three of these will be shown on different continuums throughout this coursework.

Join now!

Open/Closed Continuum.

   Barbara Knapp recognised two basic classifications of skill, these are either open skills or closed skills.

   Open skills are those in which the environment is unpredictable and affects the skill. The form of action has to be varied according to what is happening around the performer. This means that the skill will require adapting each time it is performed. Many conditions can affect this such as, the weather, the pitch conditions, the speed on a ball, the opponent, the positioning, etc.

   Closed skills are skills which are not affected by the environment. They ...

This is a preview of the whole essay