VCAA Physical Education How are movement skills improved?

open skill

For example:

There is high inter-trial variability, and the environment is unpredictable and variable.

• Coaching approach – Direct
• Stage of learning – Associative
• Practice variation – Blocked.

To apply the principle of summation of momentum to gain maximal force the pitcher should aim to use as many body parts as possible. They should be used in a sequential manner starting with the larger parts and finishing with smaller parts. In the case of a pitcher the momentum can be initiated via the step forward and the larger muscles of the leg and trunk. As these body parts slow and provide a stable base momentum is transferred to the muscles of the shoulder and arm and finally the fingers.

It is also important to transfer the momentum from one body part to another when at maximum velocity and in a coordinated movement, so momentum is not lost. Finally, a follow through should be used so the pitcher is able to deliver the ball at maximal velocity/power.

task constraint.

A lighter discus javelin allows a child the ability to throw the discus more easily. This allows the correct technique for a motor skill development in discus to be taught. This may include how to do the footwork and arm swing correctly without having to worry about the weight of the object.

If skill development is occurring, this increases the motivation for a child to continue to participate and as a result further increase their performance by being exposed to more coaching and competition.

Answers could include:

Olyslagers – self-talk:

• by talking to herself she is able to reduce stress/enhance motivation
• allows Olyslagers to lower her heart rate and remain composed/increasing her intensity for her jump
• allowing her to reach optimal performance state for the next jump.

Patterson – performance routine:

• by rocking back and forth she is lowering or increasing her arousal levels
• Patterson’s rehearsed movement pattern could have been triggered, ensuring a sense of calm
• allowing her to reach optimal performance state for the next jump.

Other strategies:

• imagery: visualise/mentally rehearse performing the perfect jump over the height
• goal-setting: setting a short-term goal at the start of event to jump over a particular height
• relaxation: any technique used to lower mental and/or physical stress.

Impulse is Force x Time which causes a change in momentum of an object. Both the magnitude and duration of the force determine the effect of an object's motion, and the application of force over time changes the momentum of an object.

When leaping off the ground, the jumper aims to maximise change in momentum (impulse) to increase velocity to maximum after take-off. Increasing force on take-off generates greater vertical velocity by maximising segments used. The jumper maximises the time at which the force is being applied by flexion at the ankle, hip, and knee, and more impulse on take-off allows for a higher jump.

When landing on the mat, the jumper aims to maximise change in momentum (impulse) to decrease velocity to zero on landing. The foam of the mat increases the time the force is applied by the jumper landing. More contact time with the mat means maximum time of force application decreases peak force, and less force on landing prevents injury to the athlete.

Direct coaching provides the learner with explicit instructions with a clear emphasis on developing technique, which could improve swimming technique therefore allowing an improved performance.

As swimming in a pool is a closed environment, there is no inter trial variability and it is self-paced, beginner swimmers would benefit from blocked practice. This enables the swimming skills to be repeated, allowing a greater chance for their swimming stroke to develop and improve. Random practice would not be as effective as there would be less opportunity to refine technique and consolidate skill execution.

By using the longer golf club, this has increased the length of the (third-class) lever therefore increasing the resistance arm. By increasing the resistance arm, this increases the speed and range of motion (ROM) of the lever, allowing the golf ball to be hit with more speed. When the golf club contacts the golf ball, momentum is conserved on impact and therefore imparted to the golf ball. By using a longer lever with an increased ROM, the increased velocity of the lever can be imparted onto the golf ball, allowing it to travel further.

Digital recording allows the golf swing to be slowed down, paused and replayed which increases the accuracy of technique analysis. This can allow an improved performance as the coach can provide feedback to the player by discussing the footage and the player is also able to view their swing and identify areas of improvement.

When using the direct observation method, it is difficult to accurately observe all aspects of the swing as it is done at a very fast pace. This makes it difficult to detect small errors in technique.

The coach needs to undertake an Evaluation of the golfer’s technique where they will look at possible errors in technique. The coach would then undertake an error correction step where they will use relevant methods to help the golfer fix the errors identified.

Advantages include that the athlete may relate better to their peer providing the feedback than their coach, and that the athlete does not feel judged when feedback is coming from a peer.

A disadvantage is that the peer may not have the appropriate knowledge to provide the feedback, the peer may not express what they actually see so as to not hurt the athlete’s feelings, the athlete may ignore the feedback given as they might feel they know more, or the peer may not have the capacity or confidence to provide the feedback.

Advantages of a checklist are that (any 2 of the following):

• As a written form of feedback, it can be filed and kept/referred to
• It provides key aspects of the ideal performance/technique required, and it is able to arrange information into strengths and weaknesses for the athlete.
• It can provide the athlete time to go through the feedback at their own pace and plan for improvements
• the athlete can complete a checklist themselves
• The coach/person filling in the checklist doesn’t have to rely on their memory as they can write down what they see when they see it.
• The athlete and coach can use information together and plan for improvement, and it can be used in conjunction with video analysis to enhance feedback.

A disadvantage is that (any 1 of the following):

• The checklist may be too simple in design and not provide enough feedback/comments on the technique/athlete
• It may be lost or misplaced
• It may be time consuming to complete
• The coach/person filling in the checklist may miss aspects of the performance while filling in the checklist.

Advantages of video analysis are that (any 2 of the following):

• It can be stored for future use by the athlete and track progress
• Can be compared against an exemplar
• Can be reviewed multiple times by the coach/athlete
• The athlete can re-watch it immediately and make adjustments.
• One can zoom in, pause or slow down to detect errors or focus on something in particular
• Multiple athletes can be filmed at once
• It can be used in conjunction with a checklist to enhance feedback
• It can be useful for athletes that are visual learners
• it can aid in injury prevention/management.

A disadvantage is that (any 1 of the following)

• It can restrict seeing the athlete as a whole if videoed from one angle
• It could be quite costly to purchase the video and analysis programs/apps
• If there is no sound it could be difficult to recall what was said
• It may have limited storage capacity

The training activity is shaping. It is learning a simplified/incomplete version of the skill and adding the missing parts as the skill is developed.

How it could be implemented:

• the coach provides feedback/corrects the players
• missing components are added to the technique
• speed/accuracy is increased
• skill is used in game/competition-style situations.

The most appropriate leadership style is authoritarian.

Why this is the most suitable style. Junior players (any 2 of the following):

• are generally not knowledgeable of all the skills/game play tactics, so the coach needs to upskill them so that they can execute skills correctly/play the game properly, because the coach is responsible for all decisions
• are generally not able to self-correct, so the coach needs to provide all the feedback to help players improve and since it is important that they hear the feedback an authoritarian style works best
• require structure and boundaries/may be undisciplined or misbehave, which limits learning and performance outcomes, therefore they require a highly organised coach, which suits this style of leadership
• require more boundaries to increase their safety and decrease the chance of injury and maintain their wellbeing, so a disciplinarian is required, which is typical of this leadership style
• may lack intrinsic motivation, so may have to rely upon the coach for external/extrinsic motivation, which suits this style of leadership.

Answers could include:

• Step One: preparation – develops a good understanding and knowledge of the skills and their teaching points
• Step Two: observation – the gathering of appropriate information about the performance of the skill
• Step Three: evaluation – identify errors/strengths/weaknesses and prioritise areas of improvement
• Step Four: intervention – provide feedback and drills to help improve his players’ performance.

For a democratic leadership style, during a match McQualter invites feedback on how the team, strategies, and tactics are going. He seeks feedback and input from his players regarding decision making, however the final decision will be made by him when necessary. This allows his players to be creative in problem solving as they are experienced enough to impart their knowledge, gives players a sense of ownership within the team, and allows open communication between McQualter and the players.

For an authoritarian leadership style, this can be used in the gym where there are safety hazards or concerns over incorrect technique increasing the chance of injury. McQualter will make all the decisions during this time due to safety, immediate changes needed, or players' lack of focus. He is highly knowledgeable and experienced so he knows what he is doing, has high standards, is well organised and structured, and wishes to establish his authority, respect, and control to ensure compliance by the players.

For a laissez-faire leadership style, he steps back in the off-season so athletes can train by themselves to maintain some form of fitness. Due to McQualter having minimal decision making when implementing this style, the players take on the decision making during this time. The coach has a high level of trust in players to achieve goals, which promotes quick decision making as players rely on their own ability to make decisions without consulting the coach, and promotes innovation and creativity in players as McQualter is not providing input.

Answers could include:

Strategy: incorporate the use of video analysis/technology; to provide a visual way to communicate feedback to athletes.

Discussion

• show the video to the athlete straight after a drill, for immediate feedback, so that the athlete can return to the drill and implement the feedback straight away
• compare footage of the athlete completing a drill to that of a perfectly executed example, so that the athlete understands what he must implement or do correctly to improve.

Strategy: incorporate checklists; provide feedback in written form to track an athletes’ progress.

Discussion

• provide clear and concise information within the checklist, which allows strengths and weaknesses to be identified. Players can then use that information to improve
• combine the use of a checklist with video footage, to strengthen the quality of feedback given to an athlete, to help them improve.

Strategy: incorporate mentor/peer/coach feedback; provide support to players by improving technical skills, strategic thinking and/or group cohesion.

Discussion

• use the different perspectives and thoughts of assistant coaches, on players and/or strategic plays, to enhance outcomes
• use the leadership team to provide immediate and relatable support and guidance, which could increase outcomes or team cohesion (they may have different relationships with the players)
• use specific details when correcting; by not overcomplicating the information and by drawing on fact the players are likely to respond better.

Strategy: incorporate questionnaires to gain data on players and their well-being.

Discussion

• could incorporate questions around a specific focus area, to gain more insight from the players
• responses could be anonymous, which would allow the coach to gain insight into the player’s views on his leadership style. The coach can then make appropriate changes to enhance the performance and wellbeing of players.

Having completed the qualitative analysis, the coach would apply augmented feedback, which in this case is specific to knowledge of performance. The aim of this feedback would be to increase the players’ kicking power, as good accuracy has already been achieved.

In her feedback the coach would be talking about the principle of summation of momentum. To produce maximal force in the kick, the players must combine the movements of their body parts into a coordinated movement, as many body parts as possible are used (as well as the run up) with larger parts (gluteals, thighs) used first and smaller body parts (foot, toes) at the end. Body parts need to be stabilised, making the step of the planting foot very important. This coordinated movement ensures maximum power can be exerted into the kick.

She would explain that the kicking leg is a third-class lever, which has a mechanical advantage of less than one. This makes it a speed magnifier. As long as the leg is swung quickly there is the potential for increasing kicking power.

All this knowledge of performance given by the coach could be feedback used to increase kicking power.