Skill acquisition, transfer of learning and practise methods

Skill

The learned ability to bring about pre-determined results with minimum outlay of time and energy.

Accuracy

Performing a skill with little error and a high success rate.

Efficiency

Using the minimum amount of energy, effort, or time needed to perform a skill.

Consistency

The ability to repeat a skill multiple times with similar accuracy and results.

Learned

Being able to acquire and master a specific skill.

Aesthetically pleasing

When a skill looks good and appears effortless.

Control

Being able to perform a skill with good awareness of body position.

Goal directed

Working towards a specific objective when performing a skill.

Muscular involvement continuum

A range from fine (small muscle groups) to gross (large muscle groups) muscular involvement.

Environmental influence continuum

A scale from open (team activities) to closed (individual, predictable activities) environments.

Difficulty continuum

A range from simple skills (little decision making) to complex skills (lots of decision making).

Continuity continuum

The classification of skills from discreet (clear start and finish) to continuous (no clear start and finish).

Organisational Continuum

A scale from low (easily broken down skills) to high (skills that cannot be broken down).

Pacing continuum

The degree of control over the timing of a skill, ranging from self-paced to externally paced.

Transfer of learning

The impact of learning a skill on the learning of future skills, which can be positive, negative, or zero.

Positive transfer

When the learning of one skill positively impacts the learning of another skill.

Negative transfer

When the learning of one skill negatively impacts the learning of another skill.

Zero transfer

Two unrelated skills that have no impact on each other.

Bilateral transfer

Learning a skill on one side of the body positively affecting the other side.

Whole practice

Practicing the entire skill in its entirety without breaking it down.

Whole part whole practice

Practicing the skill as a whole, identifying weaknesses, then practicing them before reassembling.

Progressive part practice

Breaking down a skill into components and gradually building it up.

Massed practice

Training without rest intervals, focusing on skills that need repetitive practice.

Discreet skill

A skill with a clear beginning and end.

Closed skill

A skill performed in a predictable environment.

High organisation skill

A skill that cannot be easily broken down into parts.

Low organisation skill

A skill that can be easily broken down into its components.