For this study of skills I am going to select ten different sporting skills then I will describe how these skills would be classified.

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Skill Classification

        For this study of skills I am going to select ten different sporting skills then I will describe how these skills would be classified.

        The word skill is used in many forms, but skill and ability are often confused when describing an individual’s performance. Skills are not to do with genetics of a person, the skill must be learned, and skill therefore gives you the ability. As skills are taught for each individual sporting activity for many these are the fundamentals of the sport and can be decisive between winning and losing. Skills have been classified for the use of performers, teachers and coaches alike so that they can determine the differing characteristics of each skill. This allows for coaches to design and use specific drills and methods of teaching to improve certain skills.

The finest definition of skill I have found is that of Gurthie in 1952 “The ability to bring about some end result with the maximum certainty and minimum outlay of time, energy or both”. Skills can be identified in three varieties, Cognitive Skill this is the ability to solve problems by thinking; an example of this would be keeping score of a basketball game. Perceptual Skill this is the interpretation of your senses, this is where you would choose a suitable pass in basketball. Motor Skills an example of a motor skill would be turning the front door key to open your front door; this is a voluntary movement that is not reliant on perception.

        

        Further definition of skill includes

Open Continuum

Open skills

These are skills that are performed in an unstable environment that can have effect the end result. This continuum uses perceptual skill to judge the best reaction to the surroundings; the reaction could be that of an offensive player in basketball reacting to the defence.

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Closed Skills

These skills are performed within a stable environment that does not change. The performer would have practiced these skills through repetition training/practice. The movements involved are habitual stereotyped using self-paced skills.

Pacing Continuum

Self Paced

The performer controls self-paced skills, the activity and movement for the performer therefore initiates the activity. This involves pro-action and is more of a closed skill as there are no external interference’s.

Externally Paced

Most of the externally paced skills are from a reaction to an open skilled environment. This again would be best to ...

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