Skill Characteristics and Classification

Two ways to classify, and no more

Classifying a skill sounds like it should mean sorting it into a type. On this board it means something more precise, and knowing exactly how much it covers is half the marks. ⭐ This specification uses EXACTLY TWO ways to classify a skill. The simple-to-complex continuum, which is about how many decisions the skill needs, and the open-to-closed continuum, which is about how much the changing environment affects it. ⭐⭐ And each is a CONTINUUM, a slider, not a box. A skill sits somewhere ALONG the line between the two ends, and it has a separate position on each of the two continua. ⚠️ Here is the trap. Revision guides written for other boards add more: gross against fine, or self-paced against externally-paced. Those do NOT exist on this board. Bringing them in is the commonest way to lose marks here. Before all that, the module names what makes a movement skilful in the first place: efficient, pre-determined, co-ordinated, fluent and pleasing to watch. ⚠️ Carry one question through: which of the TWO continua is this, and where on it does the skill sit?

The two continua, side by side

Keep the two continua clearly apart, because they measure completely different things and a skill has a position on each.

Order by number of decisions

Put these skills in order along the simple-to-complex continuum, from the SIMPLEST (fewest decisions) to the most COMPLEX (most decisions).

• Running in a straight line, repeating the same action
• A forward roll, a fixed sequence with a few decisions
• A tennis serve, with decisions about the toss, placement and spin
• A pass in a moving game, choosing who, when and how while avoiding opponents

Place the game pass

A footballer makes a pass during open play, with opponents closing in and teammates moving. Where does this skill sit on the open-to-closed continuum, and why?

• Towards the open end, because the environment is changing and unpredictable and the player must react to opponents and teammates
• Towards the closed end, because passing is a basic skill
• It is a simple skill, so it must be closed
• It is a gross skill, which makes it closed

Words for classifying a skill

Five terms, each defined so you can use it in a sentence rather than only recognise it.

Which show skilful movement

Select the TWO qualities that this board lists as characteristics of skilful movement.

• Efficient: it uses no more energy or effort than needed
• Fluent: it flows smoothly, without jerky pauses
• Loud: it makes as much noise as possible
• Slow: a skilful movement is always performed slowly

Tap what does not belong

A student lists ways to classify a skill. Select the ONE that is NOT a classification on this board and would lose marks here.

• Simple to complex
• Open to closed
• Gross to fine
• How many decisions the skill needs
• How much the environment affects the skill

How to classify without over-reaching

Almost any classification question is answered by the same short routine, and the routine also keeps you out of the trap. ⭐ Use the two continua, and only the two. Ask where the skill sits from simple to complex, and separately where it sits from open to closed. ⭐ For simple-to-complex, count the decisions. Few decisions is simple; many rapid decisions is complex. ⭐ For open-to-closed, look at the environment. A changing, unpredictable setting affected by others is open; a stable, predictable one is closed. ⭐ Place it ALONG each line, not in a box. Most skills are not at the extreme ends, and saying roughly where on the line is better than forcing a label. ⚠️ And stop there. If you find yourself writing gross, fine, self-paced or externally-paced, you have imported a classification this board does not use, and it will not score.

Match each quality to its meaning

The dimmer switch, not the light switch

Leave sport aside and picture two ways of controlling a lamp. ⭐ A plain light switch has two settings only: on or off. Every lamp is forced into one of the two boxes, even the one you wish was a little brighter than off but softer than full. ⭐⭐ A dimmer is different. It is a slider, and the lamp can sit anywhere along it, bright, faint, or any shade between. You do not choose a box; you choose a position on a line. The dimmer describes real lamps far better, because most lamps you would actually want are somewhere in the middle, not jammed at one end. That is the shape to carry back. Classifying is a dimmer, not a light switch. You place the thing along a line and say roughly where it sits, rather than forcing it into one of two boxes.

Complete the classification facts

An action learned and refined through practice is a _____ skill. Rather than sorting skills into boxes, this board places them along a line called a _____. On the difficulty line, a skill needing few decisions is _____ and one needing many is _____. On the environmental line, a skill in a changing, unpredictable setting is _____ and one in a stable, predictable setting is _____.

Build the placement rule

Assemble the rule for classifying a skill on this board.

The classification run

Five quick decisions. Three lives.

Classify three skills

Three skills come up in an exam question. Work through classifying each, staying on this board.

• A basketball free throw, taken in a stopped game from a fixed spot. How do you classify it?
• A rugby tackle made on a runner during open play. How do you classify it?
• A revision guide tells the student to add whether each skill is gross or fine. What should they do?

Classify a skill and justify it

Choose any sporting skill you know well. Classify it on both of this board classification continua, and explain your reasoning, being careful to use only the classifications this board uses.

• Name the skill and say roughly where it sits on the simple-to-complex continuum, justifying it by the decisions it needs
• Say roughly where it sits on the open-to-closed continuum, justifying it by how much the environment affects it
• Explain that each is a continuum, so the skill sits along the line rather than in a box
• Use the terms continuum, open and closed correctly
• Finish by noting that this board uses only these two continua, and that gross-fine and pacing classifications do not belong here