Skill + Ability

• Skill

  A learned ability to bring about a pre-determined result with maximum certainty + efficiency.

  • Skills must be learnt, we are not born with them.
  • Each skill has a certain aim in mind e.g. when we shoot in basketball, our aim is to score.
  • All skills need to be performed without wasting too much energy.
• Ability

  An inherited trait from your parents. Abilities are stable traits that determine an individual's potential to learn or acquire skills.

  • Abilities can help performers learn skills e.g. greater inherited balance will help a gymnast learn skills on the beam.
  • Balance, flexibility + coordination are examples of abilities.
• Characteristics of a skilful performance:

  • Accurate - ability to hit target/land in precise spot
  • Fluent = smooth + graceful
  • Aesthetically pleasing - looks good/pleasing to eye
  • Consistent - ability to perform desired moment repeatedly.
  • Controlled - full control when performing skill
  • Efficient - minimum outlay of effort
  • Goal directed - specific outcome performer wants to achieve
  • Learned - skills developed through practice
• Basic skill

  Easy to do skills. Skills learnt first e.g. walking, running. Basic skills tend to be transferable between sports. It is vital to learn basic skills first, because being able to perform basic skills will help us develop complex skills.
• Complex skill

  Skills that are more difficult to do. They require greater coordination and control. Most complex skills tend to be specific to a particular sport. E.g. front crawl is used in swimming only. They are not that transferable to other sports. The more sub-routines a skill has, the more complex it is.
• Open skill

  Skills affected by environment, where a performer must react and adjust to a changing situation. E.g. if a strong wind is blowing during a rugby match, you will have to take this into account when performing a dropkick.
• Closed skill

  Skills not affected by the environment or performers within it. This means the skill tends to be performed in the same way each time. E.g. a diver's inside performing environment is predictable and stable and so a diver will perform each dive in the same way - a pre-set routine.
• Self paced

  Skills started when the performer decides to start them. The performer controls the speed, rate + pace of the skill. E.g. a player uses self-paced skills during a table tennis match when they select the direction, speed, height and even the use of a spin every time they serve.
• Externally paced

  Skills started in response to an external factor. The speed, rate or pace of skill is controlled by your opponent or by the environment. In tennis, you have to respond to the serve accordingly.
• Gross movement

  Skills that involve large muscle groups combining to perform big, strong, powerful movements. They usually involve the arms, legs, feet or even the entire body. E.g. the phases of a cricket ball throw.
• Fine movement

  Skills that are small, precise movements that require high levels of accuracy + coordination. They make use of a small group of muscles. E.g. A spin bowler uses fine movement skills to create the spin on a ball.