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 use the example of the offensive player in basketball reacting to the defence.
Continuity Continuum
Continuous
Continuous skills are skills that have no beginning or end that can be easily be identified. This can be continued for as long as the performer can sustain, this would be self-paced.
Discrete
This is usually brief and has a well-defined beginning and end. The skill can be repeated but the action has to be re-initiated by the performer.
Serial
This is a number of discrete skills put together into series, the order of the sequence is very important and each movement has a stimulus and a response. These are skills that have been practiced over through repetitive training, shooting a basketball should be the same form in the arms. By shooting over and over in repetitive drills the form for a shot will take shape.
Bodily Involvement Continuum
Gross Skills
This skill involves large muscle movements and uses the major body parts. The skills associated with this use strength, endurance and power. Gross skills can be shown in activities such as kicking a football or even walking, running or jumping.
Fine Skills
This skill involves small muscle movements and uses small body movements. The skills associated with this use speed accuracy and efficiency. The less muscles/movements that are carried out the less likely there is a chance for the result to be affected. Things like writing, painting and sewing qualify under this skill classification.
In the next section I am going to choose ten sporting actions from a variety of sports, then I will decide which continuums they fit into.
Gymnastic Routine
Gymnastic routines are carried out within the same environment nearly every time without any form of direct opposition; this will make the routine a closed skill. The speed at which the gymnast performs is self-controlled, so the pacing continuum would be a self-paced skill. The gymnast’s routine consists of many of discrete skills with a significant sequence so it is a serial skill. The routine would be classed as a gross skill as there are a large muscles used.
Basketball Free Throw
A basketball free throw is a discrete skill as it has a beginning and an end that are easily noticeable. The action is initiated when the player receives the ball from the referee and the end of the player’s action is when the ball is released. The skill is closed because you stand-alone without an opposition contesting your actions, on the free throw line 15 foot away from the basket. The action of the free throw is self-paced because it is a skill performed at a rate that the performer decides, as long as it is less than 5 seconds. A free throw is a gross skill because it involves 4 major muscles quadriceps, calf, triceps and forearm.
Golf Putt
Putting in golf is a fine skill as it only involves a small amount of movement from the body to succeed at what must be a conclusive result. The putt has a well-defined beginning and end this will allow it to be classed as a discrete skill. When putting there is not an opposition to respond in a defensive manner, so it is a closed skill. The rate at which the performer decides to take the shot and when to take it is completely up to the performer, which will make it a self-paced skill.
Tennis Serve
This is a gross skill as the muscle groups in the arms and legs are used throughout the skill. The skill is a serial, as the movement of the serve is built up of many discrete skills. The skill is self-paced as the performer initiates the rally, and decides when and where to place the serve. The skill is closed, as the performer needs not reaction to the environment to perform the skill.
Tennis Return
A return in tennis is a gross skill, as nearly every part of the body will be involved in some way. The return of the ball does not just involve the arm and hand, the body must be put into position prior to the shot then rotated through the shot. The shot is classed as a serial skill. The shot has become an open, as the skill is a response to the opposition’s shot, which can vary, then a reaction to the movement of the opposition. The shot is externally paced
Dribbling in Football
This is classed as a gross skill as the main muscle groups in the legs are used, with the arms and upper body being used for balance. The skill has become serial, as there are a few discrete skills in a specific order. The performer controls the speed that the skill carried out, with the self-paced continuum. Dribbling is an open skill when placed into a game situation, as there is an opposition who reacts to the performer and can affect the performers actions.
Swimming
This skill is at the top of the gross skills, all major muscle groups are used constantly through the performance. The skill is self-paced as the performer has control of the rate that the skill is carried out. The continuous series is used as there is no beginning or end the body just works in one motion. The skill is closed as the performer is in a stable environment.
Trampolining Routine
Trampolinist’s routines are carried out within the same environment nearly every time without any form of direct opposition; this will make the routine a closed skill. As long as the routine goes to plan the performer should not need to react to correct any mistakes. The skill is gross as the upper body is used for balance and the legs are used to gain height on the jumps. The performer is in control of their actions and can pace the rate of the skill, self-paced continuum. The skills are serial as there are many discrete skills used in the performance.
Cricket Ball Catching
This skill can vary from gross to fine, as long as the ball is coming straight toward the performer then the skill will be fine, but is the performer must run to meet the catch then the skill would be gross. This skill is open as the wind, and/or other fielders can affect the flight of the ball. The skill is discrete as there is a clear beginning and end. The reaction timing of the performer makes the skill externally paced.
High Jump
This skill is performed within a controlled environment so the skill is closed. The jumping uses most major muscle groups so the skill is gross. The skill is serial as it is a specific order that the routine must be performed. The skill is self-paced so the performer can take there time to prepare for the jump.