Skill Classification

Skills are classed on my different ways, dependant on the difficulty and nature of the skill performed.

Closed & Open Skills

The degree to which a skill can be described as open or closed depends largely on the amount of variable factors that affect the skill.  Simply put is the skill fairly similar or very different each time it is performed.

A skill is more closed if it is performed in a very similar context each time.  A lot of things will be very similar or even exactly the same each time you perform the skill. E.g. a serve in badminton will always be played from a fairly similar position.  You and the opponent will both be standing still at the start of the skill and the opponent will always be diagonally opposite you.  You will always start the skill by dropping the shuttle from hand so the flight of the shuttle before contact is always the same. 

An open skill has more variable factors, i.e. things that change.  In badminton, skills performed during the rally are more open than the serve.  For example, an over head clear is different each time.  The height, speed and flightpath of the shuttle will vary every time.  You will play the shot each time from a different position of the court, sometimes left, right or centre and sometimes back or middle of the court.  The position of the opponent can vary each time as well so there a lot of factors to consider quickly before playing the shot.

A closed skill can be described as internally paced.  This means you can decide the exact point to start the skill.  When serving in badminton if you do not feel ready or in the correct position you can take your time or readjust before carrying out the skill. 

An open skill is externally paced.  This means the point you start the skill is affected by factors outwith your control.  So during the rally you must perform skills before the shuttle hits the ground or else you will lose the point.  Factors such as the type of shot the opponent has played and the flight and speed of the shuttle will dictate when you perform the skill.

Skills which are open in a game situation can be made into a closed skill for a practice situation by removing the variable factors.  For example, doing an overhead clear in a self –feed repletion drill involves throwing the shuttle up yourself, and repeating the hitting action over and over again.  Because you throw it to yourself, the flightpath does not vary the way it would with a partner hitting to you and because there is no opponent hitting the shuttle back, you can focus solely on the hitting action without worrying too much about accuracy.  This is a good way for cognitive learners to learn a skill as it removes a lot of the variable factors and reduces the pressure.

Simple & Complex Skills

A simple skill is one which is less difficult to perform.  This may be because there are less subroutines (parts) to the skill or there are less physical, mental or skill-related fitness demands required for the performance of the skill.

A complex skill is more difficult to perform.  It may have more subroutines so better timing and coordination is required to link the different parts together smoothly.  There may be a danger element to the skill requiring higher levels of concentration and motivation to perform.  Some skills require a higher level of strength, power, flexibility or agility to perform which makes them a complex skill.

Serial, Discrete and Continuous Skills

A continuous skill is one which has no clear beginning or end but is more a cycle of movements repeated over and over again.  Examples of this are running, cycling and swimming.

A discrete skill is one action, consisting of several subroutines with a clear starting and finishing point.  In badminton, a serve is a discrete action, starting with the drop of the shuttle and ending with the racquet following through after striking.  During a rally in badminton other skills are performed as discrete skills when no movement is required before striking the shuttle.

Serial skills are skills with 2 or more actions linked together.  In badminton, during a rally where movement is required before executing the skill, these skills can be described as serial.  For example, if you are in midcourt and the opponent plays the shuttle over your head to the back and you return a drop shot.  The two lined movements are your movement backwards to get into position, followed by the execution of the subroutines of the shot.