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