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This lesson provides a comprehensive revision resource for the Sports Psychology content in OCR GCSE PE Component 02. It covers characteristics of skilful movement, skill classification, goal setting and SMART targets, mental preparation techniques, types of guidance, and types of feedback. This is the OCR-specific content — make sure you use the OCR definitions and terminology throughout.
The OCR specification identifies five characteristics of skilful movement. You must know each one and apply it to sporting examples.
| Characteristic | Definition | Sporting Example |
|---|---|---|
| Efficient | Uses only the muscles and energy needed — no wasted effort | A skilled marathon runner with a smooth, relaxed stride conserves energy and avoids early fatigue |
| Pre-determined | The performer knows what they want to achieve before executing the movement — the outcome is planned | A tennis player decides where to aim their serve before striking the ball |
| Co-ordinated | Different body parts work together in the correct sequence and timing | A cricket bowler coordinates run-up, arm swing, wrist position, and follow-through |
| Fluent | The movement flows smoothly from one phase to the next without hesitation | A gymnast performing a floor routine moves seamlessly between tumbles |
| Aesthetic | The movement looks pleasing to the eye — it appears effortless and graceful | A skilled diver's movements look beautiful to spectators and judges |
Exam Tip: Remember the five characteristics using the mnemonic E-P-C-F-A: "Every Player Can Fly Amazingly." This is a distinctive feature of the OCR specification — other exam boards may not test all five.
The OCR specification classifies skills using two continua:
| Basic Skills | Complex Skills |
|---|---|
| Simple, few decisions | Many decisions, high information processing |
| Easy to learn | Take a long time to master |
| Few sub-routines | Many sub-routines that must be combined |
| Example: Running, catching a large ball | Example: Triple jump, tennis serve, gymnastics vault |
| Open Skills | Closed Skills |
|---|---|
| Performed in an unpredictable, changing environment | Performed in a stable, predictable environment |
| The performer must constantly adapt | The performer controls when and how the skill is executed |
| Externally paced (the environment dictates timing) | Self-paced (the performer dictates timing) |
| Example: Dribbling past opponents in football | Example: A free throw in basketball, a gymnastics routine |
graph LR
A["Basic"] -->|"Continuum 1"| B["Complex"]
C["Open"] -->|"Continuum 2"| D["Closed"]
A --> A1["e.g. Running"]
B --> B1["e.g. Triple Jump"]
C --> C1["e.g. Dribbling<br/>in football"]
D --> D1["e.g. Free throw<br/>in basketball"]
style A fill:#27ae60,color:#fff
style B fill:#c0392b,color:#fff
style C fill:#2980b9,color:#fff
style D fill:#e67e22,color:#fff
Exam Tip: A common OCR question gives you a sporting skill and asks you to classify it on both continua. Always justify your answer with a reason. "A penalty kick is a closed skill because the environment is stable and predictable — the ball, goalkeeper, and goal are all in fixed positions, and the performer controls when they take the kick."
Goal setting is a fundamental psychological tool for improving motivation, focus, and adherence to training.
This is critical — OCR uses a specific version of SMART that is different from some other exam boards.
| Letter | Stands For | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| S | Specific | The goal must clearly state exactly what is to be achieved — not vague or general |
| M | Measurable | The goal must have a way of being measured so progress can be tracked objectively |
| A | Achievable | The goal must be realistic and within the performer's capability — challenging but not impossible |
| R | Recorded | The goal must be written down and documented so it can be reviewed and tracked |
| T | Timed | The goal must have a clear deadline or timeframe for completion |
CRITICAL Exam Tip: OCR defines "A" as Achievable and "R" as Recorded. Other exam boards may use "Accepted/Agreed" and "Realistic." You MUST use the OCR definitions in the OCR exam. Using definitions from a different exam board may cost you marks.
Non-SMART goal: "I want to get faster."
SMART version: "I will reduce my 100-metre sprint time from 13.2 seconds to 12.8 seconds by the end of March, recording my sprint times in my training diary after every session."
| SMART Element | How It Is Met |
|---|---|
| Specific | Reduce 100m sprint time — clear and precise |
| Measurable | From 13.2s to 12.8s — can be measured objectively |
| Achievable | A 0.4s improvement is challenging but realistic |
| Recorded | "Recording my sprint times in my training diary" |
| Timed | "By the end of March" — clear deadline |
| If Missing... | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Not Specific | The performer does not know exactly what they are working towards |
| Not Measurable | Progress cannot be tracked, so the performer does not know if they are improving |
| Not Achievable | The performer becomes frustrated and demotivated because the goal is impossible |
| Not Recorded | The goal is easily forgotten, and progress cannot be reviewed |
| Not Timed | There is no urgency, so the performer may procrastinate |
The OCR specification covers four mental preparation techniques:
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| What it is | Creating a mental image of performing a skill successfully before actually performing it |
| How it works | The brain sends similar signals to muscles during visualisation as during actual performance, strengthening neural pathways |
| When to use | Before a performance, during breaks in play, or as part of regular training |
| Sporting example | A gymnast mentally rehearsing their floor routine before stepping onto the mat |
| Best for | Closed skills in stable environments; experienced performers who have a clear mental image to draw on |
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| What it is | Using all the senses to create a vivid mental experience of performing successfully |
| How it differs from visualisation | Imagery involves multiple senses (sight, sound, feel, even smell), not just visual images |
| Sporting example | A sprinter imagining the sound of the starting gun, the feel of the blocks, the wind on their face, and themselves crossing the line first |
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| What it is | Focusing on the relevant information and blocking out distractions |
| How it works | The performer filters out irrelevant stimuli (crowd noise, opponents, negative thoughts) and concentrates only on what is important |
| Sporting example | A tennis player focusing only on the ball and their opponent's positioning, ignoring the crowd |
| Why it matters | Reduces information overload, improves decision-making speed, and helps the performer stay calm under pressure |
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