Classification of skills continua
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can classify skills based on their characteristics and place them on the basic/complex and open/closed continua.
Key learning points
- Skills can be classified along continua based on their characteristics.
- Skills classification between basic and complex is based on how difficult they are to perform.
- Skills classification between open and closed is based on how stable the environment is.
Keywords
Basic skill - a skill which is quickly learned as there are very few decisions to be made when performing the skill
Complex skill - a skill which requires a lot of decision making, requiring a high level of coordination and thinking
Open skill - a skill which is performed in a certain way to deal with a changing or unstable environment, e.g. to outwit an opponent
Closed skill - a skill which is not affected by the environment or performers within it
Common misconception
A very common mistake made when classifying skills is to name a sport without the skill. For example, trying to classify 'rugby' rather than one of the many different skills within rugby.
Ensure pupils understand that specific skills are required and that they can name multiple examples of skills from different sports.
Teacher tip
The exam board practical assessment guides include a useful, ready-made list of skills which can be performed in each assessed activity. These lists can be used by pupils to give examples from their favourite sports.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these best defines a skill?
Q2.Which of the following makes you a skillful performer?
Q3.Match these skills to their sport.
rugby
cricket
sailing
volleyball
figure skating
Q4.What does the word classify mean?
Q5.Which order would most people learn the following skills in?
Q6.The word environment means ...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these are not skills?
Q2.Put these skills in order from the most closed to most open in terms of environmental factors.
Q3.Match the classification to its description.
quickly learned as there are very few decisions to be made
requires a lot of decision making and high levels of coordination
performed in a certain way to deal with changing/unstable environment
not affected by the environment or performers within it
Q4.Put these skills in order from most basic to most complex.
Q5.A skill which is complex is likely to have which of these characteristics?
Q6.Open skills are performed in environments which are unstable and are ...
To help you plan your 11 physical education lesson on: Classification of skills continua, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 physical education lesson on: Classification of skills continua, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 physical education lessons from the Sport psychology: skill and ability unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.