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Aussie Maths & Science Teachers: Save your time with SmarterEd

HMS, BM 2012 HSC 14 MC

What type of skill is a defensive player performing when executing a tackle during a game?

  1. Closed and self-paced
  2. Closed and externally paced
  3. Open and externally paced
  4. Open and self-paced
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\(C\)

Show Worked Solution
  • C is correct: Tackling is open (unpredictable environment) and externally paced (opponent timing).

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Tackling involves unpredictable opponents, not closed predictable environment.
  • B is incorrect: Tackling is open skill due to changing game conditions.
  • D is incorrect: Tackle timing depends on opponent movements, not self-pacing.

HMS, BM 2014 HSC 13 MC

In basketball, players can be awarded a ‘free throw’ whereby they are allowed to attempt a shot without any defenders.

Which set of motor skills is used in a basketball free throw?

  1. Closed and fine
  2. Closed and gross
  3. Open and fine
  4. Open and gross
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\(B\)

Show Worked Solution
  • B is correct: Free throw is closed skill in controlled environment using gross motor skills.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Basketball shooting uses gross not fine motor skills.
  • C is incorrect: Free throw is closed skill not open skill.
  • D is incorrect: Free throw environment is predictable making it closed skill.

♦♦ Mean mark 46%.

HMS, BM 2015 HSC 2 MC

An individual is required to perform a discrete, open and externally paced skill.

Which of the following would meet this description?

  1. Putting in golf
  2. Running 800 m
  3. Throwing a discus
  4. Returning a tennis serve
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\(D\)

Show Worked Solution
  • D is correct: Tennis serve return is discrete, open and externally paced.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Golf putting is closed and self-paced skill.
  • B is incorrect: Running 800m is continuous rather than discrete.
  • C is incorrect: Discus throwing is closed and self-paced skill.

HMS, BM 2017 HSC 9 MC

What is the nature of the skill required by a dart thrower?

  1. Open, self-paced
  2. Open, externally paced
  3. Closed, externally paced
  4. Closed, self-paced
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\(D\)

Show Worked Solution
  • D is correct: Dart throwing is closed (predictable environment) and self-paced (performer controls timing).

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Dart throwing occurs in a predictable environment, making it closed.
  • B is incorrect: Environment is predictable (closed) and performer controls timing (self-paced).
  • C is incorrect: Dart thrower controls when to throw, making it self-paced.

HMS, BM 2019 HSC 6 MC

Which of the following could be classified as a discrete, closed and self-paced skill?

  1. Running 800 m
  2. Batting in cricket
  3. Pitching in softball
  4. Defending a penalty shot in hockey
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\(C\)

Show Worked Solution
  • C is correct: Pitching is discrete (clear beginning/end), closed (predictable environment), self-paced (pitcher controls timing).

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Running 800m is continuous, not discrete.
  • B is incorrect: Batting is open (unpredictable bowler) and externally paced.
  • D is incorrect: Defending is open (unpredictable shooter) and externally paced.

♦ Mean mark 55%.

HMS, BM 2020 HSC 6 MC

Which of the following best describes the nature of the skill when an athlete performs a long jump?

  1. Open, self-paced, gross
  2. Open, externally paced, continuous
  3. Closed, self-paced, gross
  4. Closed, externally paced, continuous
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\(C\)

Show Worked Solution
  • C is correct: Predictable environment, athlete controls timing, uses large muscle groups.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Long jump occurs in predictable not unpredictable environment.
  • B is incorrect: Athlete controls timing and skill is discrete not continuous.
  • D is incorrect: Athlete controls timing and skill is discrete not continuous.

♦♦ Mean mark 44%.

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 568

Basketball involves various skills that can be classified according to their motor characteristics.

  1. Select TWO basketball skills and classify each according to whether they are:
    • gross or fine motor skills
    • open or closed skills
    • discrete, serial or continuous skills   (2 marks) 

  1. For ONE of the skills you classified in part (a), explain how its motor characteristics influence specific training methods that would be used when coaching developing players.   (4 marks)

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a.   Two basketball skills (of many possibilities):

Skill 1: Free throw shooting:

  • Gross motor skill (involves large muscle groups though with fine control elements)
  • Closed skill (stable, predictable environment)
  • Discrete skill (clear beginning and end)

Skill 2: Dribbling past defenders:

  • Gross motor skill (involves large muscle groups)
  • Open skill (changing, unpredictable environment with defenders)
  • Continuous skill (ongoing without clear beginning/end during execution)

 
b.    Free throw shooting

As a closed skill:

  • Consistent practice environment allows for blocked practice (repetition without variation)
  • Example: Secondary school players practicing 20 consecutive shots with focus on technique

As a discrete skill:

  • Pre-performance routine development is essential
  • Example: Local club coaches teaching consistent pre-shot sequence (e.g., three dribbles, deep breath)

As a gross motor skill:

  • Whole body coordination required despite precision elements
  • Example: Junior players learning to align feet, hips and shoulders before developing arm action

Progressive training approach:

  • Begin with technique focus in non-fatigued state
  • Add pressure elements gradually (fatigue, noise, time constraints)
  • Example: Representative team players practising free throws after sprint drills to simulate game conditions

OR

Dribbling past defenders

As an open skill:

  • Variable practice environments are essential
  • Example: Primary school players progressing from stationary dribbling to moving against passive then active defenders

As a continuous skill:

  • Focus on maintaining technique during extended execution
  • Example: Community club players practicing sustained dribbling under increasing pressure without breaks

As a gross motor skill:

  • Coordination of multiple body segments while in motion
  • Example: Junior players developing coordinated hand-eye control while maintaining proper running mechanics

Progressive training approach:

  • Begin with basic technique in closed environments (no defenders)
  • Gradually introduce decision-making elements and defensive pressure
  • Example: State-level players practicing against multiple defensive scenarios with increasing complexity and intensity
Show Worked Solution

a.   Two basketball skills (of many possibilities):

Skill 1: Free throw shooting:

  • Gross motor skill (involves large muscle groups though with fine control elements)
  • Closed skill (stable, predictable environment)
  • Discrete skill (clear beginning and end)

Skill 2: Dribbling past defenders:

  • Gross motor skill (involves large muscle groups)
  • Open skill (changing, unpredictable environment with defenders)
  • Continuous skill (ongoing without clear beginning/end during execution)

 
b.    Free throw shooting

As a closed skill:

  • Consistent practice environment allows for blocked practice (repetition without variation)
  • Example: Secondary school players practicing 20 consecutive shots with focus on technique

As a discrete skill:

  • Pre-performance routine development is essential
  • Example: Local club coaches teaching consistent pre-shot sequence (e.g., three dribbles, deep breath)

As a gross motor skill:

  • Whole body coordination required despite precision elements
  • Example: Junior players learning to align feet, hips and shoulders before developing arm action

Progressive training approach:

  • Begin with technique focus in non-fatigued state
  • Add pressure elements gradually (fatigue, noise, time constraints)
  • Example: Representative team players practising free throws after sprint drills to simulate game conditions

OR

Dribbling past defenders

As an open skill:

  • Variable practice environments are essential
  • Example: Primary school players progressing from stationary dribbling to moving against passive then active defenders

As a continuous skill:

  • Focus on maintaining technique during extended execution
  • Example: Community club players practicing sustained dribbling under increasing pressure without breaks

As a gross motor skill:

  • Coordination of multiple body segments while in motion
  • Example: Junior players developing coordinated hand-eye control while maintaining proper running mechanics

Progressive training approach:

  • Begin with basic technique in closed environments (no defenders)
  • Gradually introduce decision-making elements and defensive pressure
  • Example: State-level players practicing against multiple defensive scenarios with increasing complexity and intensity

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 565

Explain how the open or closed nature of skills affects practice methods for developing movement efficiency.   (4 marks)

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Sample Answer

  • Closed skills like bowling in cricket benefit from consistent practice environments focusing on technique refinement through repetition, enabling athletes to develop highly efficient movement patterns through minimal variation in practice conditions.
  • Open skills such as returning a serve in tennis require variable practice methods that incorporate decision-making elements, with deliberate exposure to different stimuli developing both movement efficiency and adaptability.
  • The transfer from practice to performance differs significantly, with closed skills showing more direct transfer when technical efficiency is established through consistent repetition, while open skills require progressive introduction of contextual variability to develop efficient adaptability.
  • Practice feedback for closed skills typically focuses on movement consistency and technical parameters, whereas open skill feedback emphasises decision-making quality and movement adaptability while maintaining core technique elements.
Show Worked Solution

Sample Answer

  • Closed skills like bowling in cricket benefit from consistent practice environments focusing on technique refinement through repetition, enabling athletes to develop highly efficient movement patterns through minimal variation in practice conditions.
  • Open skills such as returning a serve in tennis require variable practice methods that incorporate decision-making elements, with deliberate exposure to different stimuli developing both movement efficiency and adaptability.
  • The transfer from practice to performance differs significantly, with closed skills showing more direct transfer when technical efficiency is established through consistent repetition, while open skills require progressive introduction of contextual variability to develop efficient adaptability.
  • Practice feedback for closed skills typically focuses on movement consistency and technical parameters, whereas open skill feedback emphasises decision-making quality and movement adaptability while maintaining core technique elements.

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 561

Explain how the classification of swimming freestyle in a pool differs from swimming in the ocean according to the characteristics of motor skills.   (5 marks)

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Sample Answer

  • Swimming freestyle in a pool is classified as a closed skill because the environment is stable with controlled water temperature, no currents, and clear lane markings.
  • Ocean swimming is an open skill requiring constant adaptation to waves, currents, and changing conditions.
  • Both activities are continuous skills as they involve repetitive movement patterns with no defined beginning or end during execution, though ocean swimming requires more frequent technique adjustments due to environmental variability.
  • Pool swimming is primarily self-paced during practise as the swimmer controls the timing of movements, but becomes externally paced during competitions when responding to starting signals and maintaining pace with competitors.
  • Ocean swimming requires greater gross motor coordination due to the need for more powerful movements to overcome natural water resistance and environmental challenges compared to the more technically refined movements possible in controlled pool conditions.
Show Worked Solution

Sample Answer

  • Swimming freestyle in a pool is classified as a closed skill because the environment is stable with controlled water temperature, no currents, and clear lane markings.
  • Ocean swimming is an open skill requiring constant adaptation to waves, currents, and changing conditions.
  • Both activities are continuous skills as they involve repetitive movement patterns with no defined beginning or end during execution, though ocean swimming requires more frequent technique adjustments due to environmental variability.
  • Pool swimming is primarily self-paced during practise as the swimmer controls the timing of movements, but becomes externally paced during competitions when responding to starting signals and maintaining pace with competitors.
  • Ocean swimming requires greater gross motor coordination due to the need for more powerful movements to overcome natural water resistance and environmental challenges compared to the more technically refined movements possible in controlled pool conditions.