Skill vs. Ability in Sports

• A skill is a learned movement or action that improves with practice.
• An ability is a natural trait determining the potential to learn a skill.
• Ability is innate, while skill is developed.

Skill vs. Ability

• Skill is learned through teaching and practice.
• Ability is a natural characteristic.
• Natural ability influences how quickly skills are acquired.
• A gymnast's exceptional balance (ability) allows them to perform a perfect handstand on a balance beam (skill).

Environmental Continuum

• A continuum is a range between two extremes, where each point is slightly greater or lesser than its neighbors.
• Sports skills are classified by how much the environment affects them.
• Environmental stimuli include other people, terrain, weather, and the situation.
• Performers need good perception to adapt skills to their environment.

Closed Skills

• Closed skills are not affected by the environment.
• They are self-paced.
• They occur in fixed, predictable situations.
• Performers use the same technique every time.
• Example: a gymnast performing a floor routine.

Open Skills

• Open skills are affected by the environment.
• They are perceptual and externally paced.
• Performers must make decisions and adapt to a changing environment.
• Example: making a pass in Ultimate Frisbee.

Types of Practice

• Fixed practice (drills) involves repeating the same movement over and over.
• Fixed practice best suits closed skills, like diving.

Difficulty Continuum

• Skills are also classified by how complex the movement is.

Basic Skills

• Basic skills form the foundation of more complex skills.
• They do not include complicated movements.
• They are often generic to many sports.
• Basic skills must be mastered before attempting more complex skills.
• Examples: running, jumping, throwing, catching, and striking.

Complex Skills

• Complex skills are more difficult.
• They include complicated movements requiring high coordination and control.
• They are usually sport-specific.
• Examples: serving in tennis, throwing the discus, and performing a vault.
• Mental skills used in sports include interpretation, making judgements and decision-making.
• Skills become more complex when they involve more interpretation, judgement and decision-making.
• Most skills lie somewhere on the complexity continuum between basic and complex.

Pacing Continuum

• Skills range according to who controls the speed of the movement.

Self-Paced Skills

• Self-paced skills are controlled by the performer.
• The performer decides when to execute the skill.
• Example: throwing the javelin or vaulting in gymnastics.
• Self-paced skills tend to be more towards the closed end of the environmental continuum.
• A sprinter controls the rate and timing of their actions.

Externally Paced Skills

• Externally paced skills are controlled by the environment.
• They include a decision and a reaction.
• Often controlled by the opponent.
• Example: a defender closing down a forward in soccer.
• Externally paced skills tend to be towards the open end of the environmental continuum.
• A handball goalkeeper jumps based on the ball's direction, reacting to the environment.

Gross and Fine Skill Continuum

• Skills are classified based on muscle movement and precision.

Gross Skills

• Gross skills involve large muscle groups.
• Gross skills are not very precise.
• Gross skills include fundamental movement patterns.
• Examples: walking, running, jumping, throwing, and tackling in rugby.

Fine Skills

• Fine skills involve precise movements using small muscle groups.
• Fine skills are performed with great detail.
• Fine skills generally involve high levels of hand-eye coordination.
• Examples: a snooker shot or hand movements when throwing a dart.