AQA · A-Level · Physical Education
Course version: 7582 · Version from Sept 2016
Skill, skill continuums and transfer of skills: Characteristics of skill.
A skill is a learned ability to bring about a predetermined result with maximum certainty and minimum outlay of energy and time.
Checked against the AQA 7582 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 14
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
A skill is a learned ability to bring about a predetermined result with maximum certainty and minimum outlay of energy and time. Key characteristics include being learned through practice rather than innate, and being goal-directed towards a predetermined outcome. A skilled performance is consistent, highly accurate, and executed with control and fluency. It is also economical, meaning it uses minimum energy and time, and aesthetically pleasing, looking good to the observer. For example, a gymnast's vault is learned over many sessions, aimed at a set landing (goal-directed), repeated with low error (accurate and consistent), executed smoothly (economical), and looks graceful (aesthetically pleasing). Contrast this with an innate trait. In multiple-choice questions you must select the option that correctly identifies a defining characteristic.
What earns the marks
- Skill is learned through practice and experience, not inherited.
- Skill is goal-directed: it is performed to achieve a predetermined outcome.
- Skill is performed with maximum certainty, consistency, and is highly accurate.
- Skill is economical, performed with minimum outlay of energy and time.
- Skill is executed with control and fluency, and is aesthetically pleasing.
- Abilities and traits are innate and therefore not characteristics of skill.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing skill with ability.
Put it right: Ability is innate, whereas skill is developed through learning and practice.
Forgetting specific characteristics: students often miss that a skill is aesthetically pleasing, accurate, or economical.
Believing skill guarantees success.
Put it right: Skill increases certainty and accuracy but does not remove the influence of environment or opponents.
Treating fitness as a characteristic of skill.
Put it right: Fitness supports performance but is not itself a defining characteristic of skill.
Exam tips
- Read all options before choosing; eliminate any option describing an innate trait or ability.
- Look for the option that combines learning with a predetermined goal, accuracy, and being economical.
- Remember the specific AQA characteristics: learned, goal-directed, consistent, accurate, economical, and aesthetically pleasing.
Try the lesson
The start of the Skill, skill continuums and transfer of skills: Characteristics of skill. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which characteristic of skill describes a movement that is performed smoothly and with correct timing, flowing from one part to the next?
Listen
A skill is a learned ability to bring about a predetermined result with maximum certainty and minimum outlay of energy and time. Key characteristics include being learned through practice rather than innate, and being goal-directed towards a predetermined outcome. A skilled performance is consistent, highly accurate, and executed with control and fluency. It is also economical, meaning it uses minimum energy and time, and aesthetically pleasing, looking good to the observer. For example, a gymnast's vault is learned over many sessions, aimed at a set landing (goal-directed), repeated with low error (accurate and consistent), executed smoothly (economical), and looks graceful (aesthetically pleasing). Contrast this with an innate trait. In multiple-choice questions you must select the option that correctly identifies a defining characteristic. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Skill is learned through practice and experience, not inherited. Skill is goal-directed: it is performed to achieve a predetermined outcome. Skill is performed with maximum certainty, consistency, and is highly accurate. Skill is economical, performed with minimum outlay of energy and time. Exam tip: Read all options before choosing; eliminate any option describing an innate trait or ability.
See it
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Definition of skill
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Learning through practice
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Goal-directed behaviour
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Accuracy, economy and aesthetics
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See every definition
- Definition of skill
- A learned ability to bring about a predetermined result with maximum certainty and minimum outlay of energy and time.
- Learning through practice
- Skill is developed through learning and practice rather than being inherited, unlike innate abilities and traits.
- Goal-directed behaviour
- Skill is performed to achieve a predetermined outcome.
- Accuracy, economy and aesthetics
- A skilled performance is highly accurate and consistent, uses minimum energy and time, and looks good to the observer.
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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