Skill classifications

• Basic

  • Little information to process
  • Few decisions to be made
  • Few decisions actually affect the success of the movement
  • Tend to be taught as a beginner
  • Learned fairly quickly
  • Small number of subroutines
  • Walking is a basic skill
  • Jumping is a basic skill
• Complex

  • More information to process 
  • Complex decision making 
  • Lots of decisions to be made in order to be successful
  • Tend to be taught after experiencing success in basic skills
  • Can take take time to master
  • More subroutines
  • High jump is a complex skill requiring coordinated running in an accurate bend followed by a correctly timed jump
• Open

  • Unstable environment
  • People around you can affect the skill - opponents
  • You may have to do the skill differently to ‘normal’ due to the environment
  • E.g. a football pass may be carried out in a certain way to avoid oncoming opponents, may be passed around them or chipped over them
• Closed

  • Stable environment
  • The way you do the skill is not affected by people around you
  • The skill is done the same way every time
  • The skill is typically self paced
  • E.g.  an athlete has a routine to throw the javelin the same way each time. 
  • E.g. a basketball free throw, the distance from the hoop is always going to be the same
• Gross

  • Involves big movements of the body 
  • Involves the use of large muscle groups
  • Movements tend not to rely on accuracy and precision for example, kicking a ball, running, throwing a javelin
  • Associated with power, strength
• Fine

  • Involves small, precise movements.
  • Involves the use of small muscle groups.
  • Movements tend to involve precision and accuracy, for example dart throw, archery, snooker, table tennis block shot.
• Self-paced

  • The start of the movement is controlled by the performer.
  • E.g. When doing the long jump you can choose when to start the run up.
  • The speed, pace or rate of the movement is controlled by you.
  • E.g. When running a long distance race, you decide how fast to run.
• Externally- paced

  • The start of the movement is controlled by external factors.
  • E.g. when receiving a badminton serve, you only start your returning shot after your opponent has performed their serve.
  • The speed, rate or pace of the movement is controlled by external factors.
  • E.g. When marking an opponent in netball your movement is affected by the movement of your opponent.
• Skill


  An action that you have learned to do and mastered that will help with your performance.
• Ability


  A trait that you have inherited from your parents that can help you with your sport.