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HMS, BM 2016 HSC 24

  1. Outline the stages of skill acquisition.   (3 marks)

  2. Outline, using specific examples, the types of feedback that are appropriate at each stage of skill acquisition.   (4 marks)

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a.    Stages of skill acquisition

  • Cognitive stage involves beginners learning basic movement patterns with frequent errors and slow performance. Learners require significant mental concentration to understand fundamental skill requirements and movement sequences.
  • Associative stage features improved skill consistency with fewer errors and increased movement fluency. Learners can identify some mistakes and make basic corrections to their technique during practice sessions.
  • Autonomous stage demonstrates automatic skill execution with minimal conscious thought and very few errors. Learners perform skills fluently whilst focusing attention on tactical and strategic performance elements.

b.    Types of feedback

  • Cognitive stage requires external and knowledge of performance feedback to correct major technique errors. For example, a swimming coach provides verbal instructions about arm positioning during freestyle stroke practice sessions.
  • Associative stage benefits from delayed and knowledge of performance feedback allowing self-correction development. For example, a tennis player watches video footage after practice to analyse their serve technique and identify improvement areas.
  • Autonomous stage utilises internal and concurrent feedback for fine-tuning performance during skill execution. For example, an experienced basketball player feels their shooting motion and adjusts follow-through based on immediate sensory information.

Show Worked Solution

a.    Stages of skill acquisition

  • Cognitive stage involves beginners learning basic movement patterns with frequent errors and slow performance. Learners require significant mental concentration to understand fundamental skill requirements and movement sequences.
  • Associative stage features improved skill consistency with fewer errors and increased movement fluency. Learners can identify some mistakes and make basic corrections to their technique during practice sessions.
  • Autonomous stage demonstrates automatic skill execution with minimal conscious thought and very few errors. Learners perform skills fluently whilst focusing attention on tactical and strategic performance elements.

b.    Types of feedback

  • Cognitive stage requires external and knowledge of performance feedback to correct major technique errors. For example, a swimming coach provides verbal instructions about arm positioning during freestyle stroke practice sessions.
  • Associative stage benefits from delayed and knowledge of performance feedback allowing self-correction development. For example, a tennis player watches video footage after practice to analyse their serve technique and identify improvement areas.
  • Autonomous stage utilises internal and concurrent feedback for fine-tuning performance during skill execution. For example, an experienced basketball player feels their shooting motion and adjusts follow-through based on immediate sensory information.

HMS, BM 2023 HSC 15 MC

Which of the following best describes an athlete who is a skilled performer?

  1. Displays high levels of confidence and natural ability in their chosen sport
  2. Displays superior technique when executing discrete movements autonomously
  3. Possesses inherited physical attributes essential for success in their chosen sport
  4. Possesses instinctive awareness and the ability to adjust movements mid performance
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\(D\)

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  • D is correct: Skilled performers demonstrate kinaesthetic awareness and can make automatic adjustments during performance.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Confidence and natural ability don’t necessarily indicate skilled performance.
  • B is incorrect: Superior technique is important but adaptation is key to skilled performance.
  • C is incorrect: Physical attributes alone don’t define skilled performance.

♦ Mean mark 51%.

HMS, BM 2024 HSC 13 MC

Which of the following traits best represents an athlete in the autonomous stage of skill acquisition?

  1. Consistency of performance, frequent and short periods of skill practice, strong kinaesthetic sense
  2. Consistency of performance, correction of movement to adjust to oppositional strategy, strong kinaesthetic sense
  3. Correction of movement to adjust to oppositional strategy, frequent and short periods of skill practice, strong kinaesthetic sense
  4. Consistency of performance, correction of movement to adjust to oppositional strategy, frequent and short periods of skill practice
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\(B\)

Show Worked Solution
  • B is correct: Demonstrates consistent performance, can make adjustments based on opposition and has developed strong kinaesthetic awareness.

Other Options:

  • A, C and D all incorrect: Autonomous performers need less frequent practice.

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 549

Compare the focus of attention for learners in the cognitive and autonomous stages when learning to serve in tennis.   (4 marks)

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Sample Answer

  • In the cognitive stage, the learner’s attention focuses primarily on what to do, such as proper grip, ball toss height, and basic movement sequence, while the autonomous performer’s attention shifts to strategic elements such as opponent positioning and serve placement.
  • Cognitive stage learners require conscious control of each component movement in the serving motion, whereas autonomous performers execute the entire service motion as a single fluid sequence without conscious attention to individual elements.
  • Error detection differs significantly, with cognitive stage learners often unable to identify why their serve fails without external feedback, while autonomous performers can detect and correct errors as they occur during the movement.
  • The cognitive stage server focuses exclusively on basic execution under ideal conditions, whereas the autonomous stage server can adapt their serve to different environmental factors such as wind conditions or match situations.
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Sample Answer 

  • In the cognitive stage, learners focus on basic elements like grip and ball toss height. Autonomous performers shift their attention to strategic elements such as opponent positioning and serve placement.
  • Cognitive stage learners must consciously control each component of the serving motion. Autonomous performers execute the entire service motion as one fluid sequence without thinking about individual parts.
  • Error detection differs significantly between stages. Cognitive learners often can’t identify why their serve fails without external feedback. Autonomous performers can detect and correct errors as they occur during the movement.
  • Cognitive stage servers focus only on basic execution under ideal conditions. Autonomous stage servers can adapt their serve to different factors like wind conditions or match situations.

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 544 MC

Read the following description of a golfer's performance:

"During tournament play, the golfer executes their swing naturally without mentally tracking each movement component. While maintaining consistent swing mechanics, they actively evaluate factors such as wind direction, green contours, and strategic positioning. Their technique remains stable even when facing high-pressure situations in championship rounds."

Which practice approach would be MOST appropriate for this golfer's continued development?

  1. Providing basic demonstrations of proper swing technique
  2. Using video analysis to identify and correct technical flaws
  3. Implementing competitive simulations with varying course conditions
  4. Focusing on repetitive drills to develop muscle memory
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\(C\)

Show Worked Solution
  • C is correct: The athlete is clearly in the autonomous stage where practice should emphasise adaptation to varying competitive conditions to further develop performance under tournament pressure.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Basic demonstrations are appropriate for the cognitive stage, not an athlete performing with fluid, efficient movements.
  • B is incorrect: Detailed technical analysis is more suitable for the associative stage when refining technique, not the autonomous stage described.
  • D is incorrect: Repetitive drills to develop muscle memory are most appropriate for the associative stage, while this athlete already demonstrates automatic execution.