Self-paced/externally paced and gross/fine continua
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can classify skills based on their characteristics and place them on the self-paced/externally paced and gross/fine continua.
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.
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, e.g., 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 fall somewhere between two different classifications.
Teacher tip
Encourage pupils to justify their placement of sporting examples on the continua by referring back to the characteristics required to be classified that way. This is an important skill which may be examined.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What do we call the range or scale that skills are classified against?
Q2.Which is the correct definition for each type of skill?
Q3.Which of these skills uses the most amount of muscular power?
Q4.Put these skills in order from the most open, to the most closed.
Q5.Is batting in softball an open or closed skill?
Q6.Match the skills with their place on two different continua.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the skill classification to the definition.
Q2.Which of the following are self-paced skills?
Q3.Which of these are characteristics of externally paced skills?
Q4.What is the the best example of a fine skill in a game of golf?
Q5.Which of these self-paced skills are also classified as closed skills?
Q6.Put these skills in order from the most gross, to the most fine.
To help you plan your 11 physical education lesson on: Self-paced/externally paced and gross/fine continua, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 physical education lesson on: Self-paced/externally paced and gross/fine 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.