Welcome to Sports Psychology!
In this chapter, we are diving into the world of Sports Psychology to look at how we classify the different things we do in sport. Why do we do this? Because not all sports actions are the same! A simple jump is very different from a backflip, and a golf swing is very different from a tackle in rugby.
By the end of these notes, you’ll understand how to categorize any sporting action like a pro. Don't worry if it seems like a lot to take in at first—we’ll break it down step-by-step!
Quick Fact: In PE, we don't just call everything a "move." We use the word Skill. But before we classify skills, we need to know what they actually are!
1. The Starting Point: Skill vs. Ability
Before we look at the different types of skills, we need to understand the difference between Skill and Ability. These two words are often used interchangeably in real life, but in AQA GCSE PE, they mean different things.
Ability: This is something you are born with. It is your natural potential. Think of it as the "raw ingredients" you have, like coordination, balance, or speed. You can't really "learn" an ability; you just have it.
Skill: This is something that is learned. You gain skills through practice and experience. A skill is the ability to choose and perform the right movements at the right time to get a result.
The Analogy: Imagine you are building a house. Ability is the raw materials (the bricks and wood) you start with. Skill is the talent of the builder who has practiced for years to put those bricks together perfectly.
Key Takeaway: Ability is natural/inherited, while Skill is learned/practiced.
2. The Difficulty Scale: Basic vs. Complex Skills
The first way we classify skills is by how much thinking and concentration they require. This is often called a "continuum" because a skill might be somewhere in the middle!
Basic Skills
Basic skills are simple movements that don't require much thought or decision-making. These are often the first things you learn as a child or as a beginner in a sport.
• They have very few "sub-routines" (the small parts that make up a move).
• They require very little concentration.
• Example: Running or cycling. You don't have to think hard about how to move your legs once you've started.
Complex Skills
Complex skills are much harder. They require a lot of focus, high levels of coordination, and lots of decision-making while you are doing them.
• They have many sub-routines that must be done in the right order.
• They take a long time to learn and master.
• Example: A high dive in swimming or a tennis serve. You have to think about your grip, your toss, your arch, and your timing all at once!
Memory Aid: Think of Basic as Beginner-friendly and Complex as Challenging!
Common Mistake to Avoid: Don't assume a skill is basic just because it looks easy when a professional does it. A professional footballer making a 40-yard pass looks relaxed, but because of the timing and technique involved, it is still a complex skill.
Key Takeaway: Basic skills are simple and mindless; Complex skills are complicated and require focus.
3. The Environment Scale: Open vs. Closed Skills
The second way we classify skills is based on where they happen. Does the world around you change while you are doing the skill, or does it stay the same?
Open Skills
Open skills are performed in an environment that is constantly changing. You have to react to what is happening around you.
• You are affected by opponents, teammates, or even the wind/weather.
• You have to make quick decisions and adapt your skill.
• Example: A pass in football during a match. You have to look at where your teammate is moving and where the defenders are before you kick.
Closed Skills
Closed skills are performed in a stable, predictable environment. Nothing changes while you are doing the move.
• You aren't affected by opponents or external factors.
• The skill is often repetitive—you try to do it the exact same way every time.
• Example: A shot put throw or a gymnastics vault. The equipment doesn't move, and no one is trying to tackle you!
Did you know? Most skills aren't 100% open or 100% closed. For example, a penalty kick in football is mostly closed because the ball is still and no one can tackle you, but it’s slightly open because you have to react to the goalkeeper's movement!
The Analogy: An Open Skill is like driving in heavy traffic—you have to react to everyone else. A Closed Skill is like driving on an empty, private race track—you just focus on your own technique.
Key Takeaway: Open skills involve reacting to others; Closed skills are repetitive and stay the same.
Quick Review: Putting it all together
When you are asked to classify a skill in an exam, use this step-by-step checklist:
Step 1: Is it simple or complicated? (Basic or Complex)
Step 2: Is the environment changing or staying the same? (Open or Closed)
Step 3: Justify your answer! (Always explain why you chose that label using the words "because" or "therefore").
Example Question: Classify a handstand in gymnastics.
Answer: It is a complex skill because it requires a lot of balance and coordination. It is a closed skill because the environment is stable and the gymnast is not being affected by opponents.
Quick Review Box:
• Ability: Natural potential you are born with.
• Skill: Learned action through practice.
• Basic: Simple, little thought (e.g., walking).
• Complex: Difficult, lots of thought (e.g., somersault).
• Open: Affected by others/environment (e.g., rugby tackle).
• Closed: Not affected by others/stable (e.g., free throw in basketball).