Discuss the differences between skill, ability and technique and explain how you would structure practices to enhance these components of fitness.

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Skill Acquisition task 1

Discuss the differences between skill, ability and technique and explain how you would structure practices to enhance these components of fitness.

There are many definitions of skill. Knapp 1963 said that skill is ‘the learned ability to bring about pre-determined results with maximum outlay of time or energy or both’. Whereas the book ‘Advanced PE for Edexcel’ quotes that skill is ‘a co-ordinated act, involving complex movements brought together in a consistent and smooth manner’.

It is important to know that there is a difference between skill and ability, and how they link with technique. For a performance to be skilful a number of things are needed:

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  • Consistency
  • Accuracy
  • Control
  • An intention
  • Fluidity

These are the types of skills:

  • Intellectual (cognitive) skills
  • Perceptual skill
  • Motor skill
  • Psycho-motor/perceptual skill

People learn new skills and are not born with them. This is a difference between skill and ability, because abilities are generally seen as ‘innate’, meaning you develop them very easily in life or are born with them. Without basic abilities, skills cannot be learnt. Although some people have different definitions of skill, ability and technique, everyone agrees that they are all needed to be a success at sport. ...

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