D skills and skill continuums

• a skill is a learned ability to bring about pre-determined results with the minimum outlay of time and energy
• ACE FACE

  • aesthetically pleasing
  • consistent
  • efficient
  • fluent
  • accurate
  • controlled
  • economical
• environmental continuum

  open

  • environment is unpredictable
  • high level of decision making and perceptual requirements
  • pass in rugby, 1v1 in football

  closed

  • performed in a predictable environment
  • low level of decision making and perceptual requirements
  • usually habitual
  • tennis serve, free throw
• bodily involvement continuum

  gross

  • involves large muscle groups
  • inaccurate
  • explosive and powerful
  • shot putt, kick in football

  fine

  • using small muscle groups
  • precise and accurate
  • throwing a dart, finger position in cricket bowling
• pacing continuum

  self-paced

  • performer controls speed of skill and sometimes the initiation
  • usually closed skill
  • tennis serve, high jump

  externally-paced

  • performer has no control over speed of skill
  • usually open skill
  • receiving a pass
• continuity continuum


  discrete

  • clear beginning and clear end
  • one short/sharp action
  • tennis serve, penalty in hockey

  serial

  • skills with discrete elements that form a movement/sequence
  • gymnastics routine

  continuous

  • no beginning or end
  • usually repeated several time to be meaningful (repetitive)
  • swimming, cycling
• organisational continuum

  low

  • skill made of subroutines that are easily separated
  • subroutines can be practiced in isolation
  • swimming

  high

  • sub-routines closely linked therefore difficult to separate
  • usually practised as whole
  • ballistic in nature
  • golf swing, cartwheel
• difficulty continuum

  simple

  • low level of decision making and perceptual requirements needed
  • swimming, sprinting

  complex

  • high level of decision making and perceptual requirements needed
  • 1 on 1 in football