Skill and Ability

Start with skill and ability

The resources on this page look at what skill and ability mean and how they relate to performance. The mind map AS Level PE - Skill Acquisition (Part 1) introduces the nature of skill and ability. It describes skill as a learned ability to produce a result with certainty and minimal effort.

For a question-led introduction, the flashcards on skill and ability ask for definitions and characteristics of ability. They also ask about cognitive, perceptual and psychomotor skills. Use the prompts to recall what you know before checking the material.

Explore performance and abilities

Mind maps on characteristics of skill describe performance as learned, goal-directed and consistent. Another map on skilled performers includes decision-making, anticipation, timing and technique. Compare these descriptions as you study what a skilled performance looks like.

Psychomotor Abilities covers coordinating several limbs and choosing quickly where an action should be made. A map on gross motor abilities includes dynamic and static strength. These maps offer different ways to explore the abilities named on this page.

Use maps and quizzes together

After studying a map, try PE 5.5. Its questions include the definition of skill and descriptions of skilful and unskilful performers. Return to the maps to review any ideas you found difficult, then use the flashcards to practice recalling definitions.

Skill characteristics (Part one) offers another quiz to use alongside the maps on performance. You can also compare a quiz question with the relevant flashcard prompts and explain the idea in your own words.

Place the topic in the unit

Skill and Ability is a section of Skill Acquisition and Motor Learning in Physical education and sport. The resources here give you ways to study this section through diagrams, prompts and questions. Choose a resource and explore the topic in the format that suits you.