“SKILL”“SKILL”We can use the term “skill” in different ways:

1. We can use it to refer to specific activity – eg swimming/tennis

2. It is more frequently used to describe the actions or techniques used within the activities – eg a chest pass or headstand

3. It is used to indicate the quality of a performance. An action performed well may be described as a skill. In this context the performer may be referred to as ‘skilled’ or ‘skillful’

Characteristics of SKILL

Watch the following clips of

these elite gymnasts.

Write a list of words that you think would best

describe the performances?

Characteristics cont......

There are many words that can be used to

describe a skilful performance. Did you come

up with the following:

EFFICIENT – the skill is well co-ordinated and appears

effortless. The unskilled performer will appear

much slower and more clumsy.

FLUENT – the skill is well timed and precise, movement is

controlled. The unskilled performer will appear jerky

and uncontrolled.

AESTHETIC – the skill is pleasing to the eye; the performer

looks very competent, whereas the unskilled

will look clumsy and unco-ordinated.

LEARNED – the skill has had to be practised over a period of

time. Learning means that it is more or less a

permanent change in behaviour and the skill can

be performed time after time! An unskilled

performance will be different and less successful.

GOAL DIRECTED – the skill will be aimed at achieving a set

result. The unskilled may not appreciate

what they are attempting to achieve or why.

FOLLOWS A TECHNICAL MODEL – We usually judge how good/skilful a performance is by comparing to a perfect model. The unskilled performer will have many discrepancies when compared to the perfect model.

Definition

• Knapp

“Skill is the learned ability to bring about predetermined results with maximum certainty, often with the minimum outlay of time or energy or both”

You should be able to link this definition to many of the

characteristics we just identified!

Watch both of these performances list the characterisitcs of skill you can see

• The perfect• dive

Compare the two results

• The amateur • dive

GCSE question – name three characteristics of this skilful performance (3mks)

A Level question – Explain how this skilful performance would differ to an unskilful performance (12 mks).

TYPES of SKILL• Think of a typical day, List all the skills that you perform

in that day. Try to group similar skills together into different types of skill.

Queue for Eating lunch Answering Walking /

Bus questions Running

(social) (social) (mental) (physical)

TYPES of SKILL cont.....

In this study of PE we need to focus on specific types of

skill.

COGNITIVE SKILLS – these are sometimes referred to

as intellectual skills as they involve the thought process.

Can you think of any examples?

Example would be working out tactics to use against your opponents

PERCEPTUAL SKILLS – these skills involve the

detection and interpretation of information. Give an

example when you would use this in your sport?

Interpreting information by deciding where/when and how to pass or play the ball

MOTOR SKILLS – these skills involve controlled

Muscular movement with a set goal. Give an example?

Running, Jumping and Swimming

GIVE EXAMPLES OF EACH IN YOUR CHOSEN SPORT

As you may have noticed it is difficult to be definite as

many activities have elements of more than one type

of skill. This leads us to consider another type of skill

that is very important in the study of PE and Sport.

PERCEPTUAL MOTOR or PSYCHOMOTOR SKILLS

Skills that we use in PE have elements of cognitive,

perceptual and motor skills. They involve thinking,

detecting, and interpreting information as well as

performing muscular movement

Types of Skill – Quiz