Analysing Motor Skills

- It is difficult to be specific about skills, some have elements of all characteristics to a greater or lesser extent

- These characteristics can change depending on the situation in which they are performed

Gross -

• A gross skill involves large muscle groups, and there is little concern for precision

Hammer throwing

Fine -

• A fine skill involves small muscle groups, and needs a lot of accuracy. Emphasis on hand-eye co-ordination!

Throwing a dart

Open -

• An open skill is affected by the environment, team mates, opponents, playing surface.
• There are LOTS of decisions to be made.
• Usually externally paced.

Shooting in netball

Closed -

• Not affected by the environment
• Habitual
• Follow a technical model
• Usually self-paced

Gymnastic Vault

Discrete -

• Clear beginning and end
• Skill must be started again if wanting to repeat

Gymnastic Vault

Serial -

• A number of discrete elements, that are put together in order to create a movement or sequence

Triple Jump

Continuous -

• No definite beginning or end
• End of one cycle is the beginning of another
  

Self (Internally) Paced

• Performer is in control
• The performer determines when the movement will start, and the rate that it proceeds

Javelin Throw

Externally Paced

• Movement not determined by the performer
• Determined by the environment