Motor Skills (OCR GCSE Physical Education (PE)): Revision Note

Characteristics of skilful movement

• Motor skills are actions that requires movement of the body and using the muscles to achieve it 

• Motor skills are learned, and all lie on a gross-fine continuum: 

  • At one end, gross skills use large muscles or muscle groups to perform big, strong, powerful movements 

    • E.g. running, jumping  or weightlifting

  • At the other, fine skills are responsible for small and precise movement, requiring high levels of accuracy and coordination. Fine skills involve the use of a small group of muscles 

    • E.g. an archery shot or putting in golf

• To be deemed skilful, the movement should be: 

  • Completed with effortless efficiency, wasting very little energy in a common action 

    • E.g. a swimmer will not make any unnecessary splashing and kicking when moving through the water to gain the fastest time possible 

  •  Have pre-determined movements and expected outcomes 

    • E.g. knowing where to place a rugby ball in a conversion kick, where on the court to serve a squash ball, or a predetermined dance routine 

  • Coordinated, making sure that all the parts (or subroutines) of the skill are linked together seamlessly  

    • E.g. a tennis player can successfully throw, hit and jump whilst serving at speed  

  • Combined into one fluent movement that looks natural and effortless 

    • E.g. a trampolinist will perform a routine so that each move flows smoothly into the next without losing height or stopping 

  • Aesthetically pleasing to the eye  

    • E.g. A gymnast performing a cartwheel and backwards walkover in a routine and look good