AQA · A-Level · Physical Education
Course version: 7582 · Version from Sept 2016
Strategies to improve information processing.
Full specification wording
Efficiency of information processing to include:: Strategies to improve information processing.
Information processing in sport involves detecting stimuli, selecting relevant cues, interpreting them and producing a response.
Checked against the AQA 7582 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 28 of 30
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Information processing in sport involves detecting stimuli, selecting relevant cues, interpreting them and producing a response. Strategies to improve it target each stage. For input, selective attention training helps learners ignore irrelevant cues. For decision making, practising in variable conditions and using decision-making drills improve speed and accuracy. For response, overlearning and automaticity free attention for tactics. For feedback, using knowledge of results and performance supports error correction. A concrete method is a small-sided game where the coach calls a colour; players must scan, decide and pass accordingly, progressively increasing speed and complexity. This trains attention, decision speed and response execution together.
What earns the marks
- Selective attention training: practising with distractions to focus on relevant cues.
- Variable practice: changing conditions to improve decision making and adaptability.
- Decision-making drills: small-sided games or scenarios that require rapid choices.
- Overlearning: repeating skills until automatic, freeing attention for tactics.
- Feedback: using knowledge of results and performance to refine processing.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Misunderstanding: thinking information processing is only about reaction time.
Put it right: It includes attention, perception, decision making, response and feedback.
Misunderstanding: believing practice should always be blocked and predictable.
Put it right: Variable and random practice can improve decision making and transfer.
Misunderstanding: ignoring feedback. Correction: feedback is essential for error detection and correction, and should be specific and timely.
Exam tips
- Link each strategy to a specific stage of information processing (input, decision, output, feedback).
- Use sporting examples to show how the strategy improves performance.
- Compare strategies in terms of their demands and benefits for different learners.
Try the lesson
The start of the Efficiency of information processing to include:: Strategies to improve information processing. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
A coach wants a performer to detect the flight of a ball earlier in a rally. Which strategy most directly improves the speed of information processing at the input stage?
Listen
Information processing in sport involves detecting stimuli, selecting relevant cues, interpreting them and producing a response. Strategies to improve it target each stage. For input, selective attention training helps learners ignore irrelevant cues. For decision making, practising in variable conditions and using decision-making drills improve speed and accuracy. For response, overlearning and automaticity free attention for tactics. For feedback, using knowledge of results and performance supports error correction. A concrete method is a small-sided game where the coach calls a colour; players must scan, decide and pass accordingly, progressively increasing speed and complexity. This trains attention, decision speed and response execution together. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Selective attention training: practising with distractions to focus on relevant cues. Variable practice: changing conditions to improve decision making and adaptability. Decision-making drills: small-sided games or scenarios that require rapid choices. Overlearning: repeating skills until automatic, freeing attention for tactics. A common slip: Misunderstanding: thinking information processing is only about reaction time. Instead, it includes attention, perception, decision making, response and feedback. Exam tip: Link each strategy to a specific stage of information processing (input, decision, output, feedback).
See it
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Selective attention training
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Variable practice
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Decision-making drills
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Overlearning
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See every definition
- Selective attention training
- Practising with distractions to focus on relevant cues, helping learners ignore irrelevant cues at the input stage.
- Variable practice
- Changing conditions to improve decision making and adaptability.
- Decision-making drills
- Small-sided games or scenarios that require rapid choices.
- Overlearning
- Repeating skills until automatic, freeing attention for tactics.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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