Explain why the performance elements of decision-making and strategic and tactical development should be introduced to athletes at the associative stage of skill acquisition. Provide examples to support your answer. (8 marks)
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- The associative stage represents the optimal time for introducing complex performance elements because athletes have developed fundamental skill execution during the cognitive stage. Athletes at this stage demonstrate consistent basic technique, allowing them to focus attention on higher-order performance concepts without overwhelming their processing capacity.
- Decision-making skills develop effectively at the associative stage because athletes possess sufficient motor control to implement choices quickly. For example, a basketball player can now focus on reading defensive formations and selecting appropriate passing options rather than concentrating solely on ball-handling technique. Introducing decision-making earlier would result in information overload and increased errors because athletes lack the automated movement patterns necessary for split-second choices.
- Strategic and tactical development becomes appropriate when athletes can execute skills with reduced conscious control. Football players at this stage can understand positional play and team formations because their basic skills like passing and receiving are becoming automatic. Early tactical introduction would prove ineffective since cognitive-stage athletes must dedicate full attention to skill execution rather than team strategy.
- The associative stage enables game-sense development through realistic practice scenarios. Athletes can now participate in small-sided games and decision-making drills because they possess the technical foundation to apply tactical concepts. Consequently, they develop the ability to anticipate opponents’ actions and make strategic adjustments during competition.
- Performance elements introduced at this stage result in enhanced competitive success because athletes can integrate technical skills with tactical awareness seamlessly.
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- The associative stage represents the optimal time for introducing complex performance elements because athletes have developed fundamental skill execution during the cognitive stage. Athletes at this stage demonstrate consistent basic technique, allowing them to focus attention on higher-order performance concepts without overwhelming their processing capacity.
- Decision-making skills develop effectively at the associative stage because athletes possess sufficient motor control to implement choices quickly. For example, a basketball player can now focus on reading defensive formations and selecting appropriate passing options rather than concentrating solely on ball-handling technique. Introducing decision-making earlier would result in information overload and increased errors because athletes lack the automated movement patterns necessary for split-second choices.
- Strategic and tactical development becomes appropriate when athletes can execute skills with reduced conscious control. Football players at this stage can understand positional play and team formations because their basic skills like passing and receiving are becoming automatic. Early tactical introduction would prove ineffective since cognitive-stage athletes must dedicate full attention to skill execution rather than team strategy.
- The associative stage enables game-sense development through realistic practice scenarios. Athletes can now participate in small-sided games and decision-making drills because they possess the technical foundation to apply tactical concepts. Consequently, they develop the ability to anticipate opponents’ actions and make strategic adjustments during competition.
- Performance elements introduced at this stage result in enhanced competitive success because athletes can integrate technical skills with tactical awareness seamlessly.
♦ Mean mark 53%.