1. How does the
acquisition of skill
affect performance?

2. The Learning Process
Perceiving
Feedback Deciding
Acting

3. The Learning Process
Perceiving
 Input (often called
cues)
 Learner perceives
or develops and
idea of what has to
Feedback be done Deciding
 External or internal  Processing in the
 Coach important here brain
 Asked to practice further,  How do we put the
∴cycle starts again.
info into a response
Acting
 Output
 Move or movement

4. Characteristics of the
Learner
Individual differences can affect
how quickly, or if at all, a person
learns a skill.

5. Characteristics of the Learner
Hereditary
 Fast twitch fibres and slow twitch fibres
- if more fast  more capable in fast, explosive events; faster
reaction time.
- if more slow  more capable in endurance events.
 Somatotype
- endomorph, ectomorph, mesomorph
 Gender
- testosterone  more strength & power
- females  more flexible
 Height
- Biomechanical advantages in some skills e.g. rowing, high jump.
 Conceptual ability
- Visualising ability

6. Characteristics of the Learner
Personality
 Characteristic way of behaving e.g. consistency,
reliability, motivation, ability to express feelings,
aggression, risk taking.
 Problem solving & decision-making
 Confidence – belief in one’s own ability, crucial
to improvements in skill acquisition

7. Characteristics of the Learner
Prior Experience
 Movements previously learnt that can be
transferred to learning the new skill e.g.
squash & tennis, cricket & golf.

8. Characteristics of the Learner
Ability
 As an inherited, relatively enduring, stable trait of an
individual that underlies or supports various kinds of
motor and cognitive activities.
 May allow a person to be good at an activity despite no
previous practice or experience.
 For example:
- arm-hand steadiness
- spatial orientation
- reaction time
- mechanical aptitude (using bats & racquets)
- movement speed

9. Characteristics of the Learner
Confidence
 Can be influenced by learning and successful
previous experiences in the situation in which
the learner is placed.
 Ensuring that the learner experiences success
particularly early in the learning process is an
important strategy in all teaching and coaching.
 This can be achieved by modifying the task and
the learning environment and setting realistic
goals for learners.

10. Characteristics of the Learner
Confidence
 Can be influenced by learning and successful
previous experiences in the situation in which
the learner is placed.
 Ensuring that the learner experiences success
particularly early in the learning process is an
important strategy in all teaching and coaching.
 This can be achieved by modifying the task and
the learning environment and setting realistic
goals for learners.