Self-paced/externally paced and gross/fine continua | Physical education

Starter quiz

What do we call the range or scale that skills are classified against?

'continua' ✓
Which is the correct definition for each type of skill?

basic

⇔

a skill which is quickly learned as there are very few decisions ✓

complex

⇔

a skill which requires a lot of decision making and coordination ✓

open

⇔

a skill performed to deal with a changing/unstable environment ✓

closed

⇔

a skill which is not affected by the environment ✓
Which of these skills uses the most amount of muscular power?

frisbee throw

basketball chest pass

high jump ✓

netball shooting
Put these skills in order from the most open to the most closed.

1

⇔

basketball lay up

2

⇔

football throw-in

3

⇔

badminton serve

4

⇔

dance routine
Which type of skill is batting in softball? Open or closed?

'open' ✓
Match the skills with their place on two different continua.

basic and closed

⇔

weight lifting ✓

basic and open

⇔

throwing the ball to run someone out in cricket ✓

complex and closed

⇔

tumbling in gymnastics ✓

complex and open

⇔

basketball lay-up ✓

Exit quiz

Match the skill classification to the definition.

self-paced

⇔

the skill is started when the performer decides to start it ✓

externally paced

⇔

the skill that is started because of an external factor ✓

gross

⇔

using large muscle groups to perform big, strong, powerful movements ✓

fine

⇔

high levels of accuracy and coordination, involves small muscles ✓
Which of the following are self-paced skills?

tennis serve ✓

archery ✓

receiving a pass in netball

basketball free throw ✓

making a catch in cricket
Which of these are characteristics of externally paced skills?

speed, rate or pace of a skill is determined by external factors ✓

the performer decides when to execute the skill

the skill is started because of an external factor ✓

the speed, pace or rate at which it is performed are determined by the performer
In the game of golf, the best example of a fine skill is...

driving a tee shot

chipping on to the green

putting ✓
Which of these self-paced skills are also classified as closed skills?

diving ✓

javelin ✓

crown green bowls

jogging
Put these skills in order from the most gross to the most fine.

1

⇔

long jump

2

⇔

batting in cricket

3

⇔

flick serve badminton

4

⇔

archery

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

Fine motor skills involve small, precise movements, typically using smaller muscle groups.
Gross motor skills involve larger movements, typically using larger muscle groups.
Self-paced skills are initiated and controlled by the performer.
Externally paced skills are controlled by external factors, such as the environment or an opponent.

Common misconception

Skills must be one classification or the other, e.g. a skill is either gross or fine.

Ensure pupils understand a continua allows for skills to be classified anywhere along it, and that some skills may well fall somewhere between two different classifications.

Keywords

Skill - a learned action/learned behaviour with the intention of bringing about pre-determined results, with maximum certainty and minimum outlay of time and energy
Gross skill - using large muscle groups to perform big, strong, powerful movements
Fine skill - small and precise movement, showing high levels of accuracy and coordination, involves the use of a small group of muscles.
Self-paced skill - the skill is started when the performer decides to start it and the speed, rate or pace of the skill is controlled by the performer
Externally paced skill - the skill that is started because of an external factor and the speed, rate or pace of the skill is controlled by external factors, eg an opponent