What are the similarities and differences between skill, ability and technique?

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Allan Rimmer 12 MR

What are the similarities and differences between skill, ability and technique?

The aim of this essay is to discover comparisons and contrasts between skill, ability and technique. To discuss the similarities and differences between skill, ability and technique we first need to understand what each of these words mean.

A simple equation is used to link skill, ability and technique from the start. This is

Skill = Ability + Technique

Skill: The word skill is often misused in everyday talk. We say ‘that boy is skilled at football’ or ‘that was a bit of skill to get that piece of paper in the bin’. This refers to an action somebody has just performed or even perhaps a fluke shot. Real skill, to use a dictionary definition, is ‘proficiency, facility, or dexterity that is acquired or developed through training or experience.’ This shows that the athlete has trained and acquired the skill through practise and repetition of a set of movements. This may be where the phrase ‘practise makes perfect’ comes from. Another definition of the word skill, referring to an athlete is, skill is an athlete's ability to choose and perform the correct techniques at the right time in a successful and regular way; applying the minimum amount of effort. This shows again that the athlete has used training to acquire this skill.

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There are four different types of skill, all of which need to be developed in order to produce the movement or series of movements required. These four skills are as follows: Cognitive skills- these are often known as intellectual skills and involve thought. The simple brain processes to get an end result, from simple processes eg adding up numbers, to more complex such as remembering a dance sequence. Perceptual skills- these involve interpreting information. If you were to be shown the same information as another person then you may see it differently.

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