Classification of Skills

This lesson covers the classification of skills as required by the OCR GCSE PE specification (J587, Section 2.2). OCR requires you to understand two skill continua and to be able to place sporting skills on each one with justification. This is a more focused approach than some other specifications — OCR assesses the difficulty continuum (simple to complex) and the environmental continuum (open to closed). You do not need to know any other continua for OCR.

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What Is a Continuum?

A continuum is a scale with two extremes at either end. Skills are placed along the continuum rather than being categorised as one extreme or the other — most skills fall somewhere between the two ends.

graph LR
    A["Extreme A"] --- B["Most skills<br>fall somewhere<br>in between"] --- C["Extreme B"]

    style A fill:#e74c3c,color:#fff
    style B fill:#f39c12,color:#fff
    style C fill:#2980b9,color:#fff

The reason we use a continuum rather than fixed categories is that skills vary in degree. A football penalty kick is not purely "simple" or purely "complex" — it has elements of both, but it tends towards the simpler end of the difficulty continuum.

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Continuum 1: Simple to Complex (Difficulty)

This continuum classifies skills based on how much information processing and decision-making is required to perform them.

Simple Skills

Definition: Skills that require little information processing, have few decisions to make, and involve a limited number of sub-routines (component parts).

Feature	Detail
Decision-making	Minimal
Sub-routines	Few
Attention required	Low
Typical performers	Beginners can learn these quickly

Examples:

Skill	Why It Is Simple
Running	A natural movement with few decisions — just move the legs in a coordinated pattern
A forward roll in gymnastics	One movement with a clear start and end; few decisions during execution
A chest pass in netball	Two hands, one direction, one target — relatively few variables to process
Cycling (on a flat road)	Once the technique is learned, it requires little conscious thought

Complex Skills

Definition: Skills that require significant information processing, involve many decisions, and consist of multiple sub-routines that must be performed in the correct sequence and timing.

Feature	Detail
Decision-making	Extensive
Sub-routines	Many
Attention required	High
Typical performers	Take a long time to master; require extensive practice

Examples:

Skill	Why It Is Complex
A tennis serve	Multiple sub-routines (ball toss, stance, backswing, contact, follow-through); decisions about placement, spin, and speed
A lay-up in basketball	Requires dribbling, footwork, timing the jump, and placing the ball on the backboard — all while avoiding defenders
A somersault in gymnastics	Many body parts must move in precise sequence; rotation speed, body position, and landing must all be controlled
Bowling in cricket	Run-up speed, arm action, wrist position, line, length, and variation must all be coordinated simultaneously

Placing Skills on the Continuum

graph LR
    S["SIMPLE"] --- A["Forward<br>roll"] --- B["Chest<br>pass"] --- C["Penalty<br>kick"] --- D["Tennis<br>serve"] --- E["Cricket<br>bowling<br>action"] --- CX["COMPLEX"]

    style S fill:#27ae60,color:#fff
    style CX fill:#e74c3c,color:#fff

Exam Tip: When placing a skill on the simple-complex continuum, always justify your answer by referring to the number of decisions, sub-routines, and the amount of information processing required. Saying "a tennis serve is complex" without explanation will not score full marks.

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Continuum 2: Open to Closed (Environment)

This continuum classifies skills based on the extent to which the environment affects the performance of the skill.

Open Skills

Definition: Skills performed in an unpredictable, changing environment where the performer must constantly adapt to external factors.

Feature	Detail
Environment	Unstable, constantly changing
Adaptation	The performer must react and adjust to opponents, team-mates, weather, terrain
Timing	Often externally paced (the performer responds to stimuli)
Consistency	Each performance may look different because the environment changes

Examples:

Skill	Why It Is Open
A tackle in rugby	The performer must react to the ball carrier's speed, direction, and body position — all of which change constantly
Dribbling in football	The player must react to defenders, team-mates, the surface, and the position of the ball
A return of serve in tennis	The performer must react to the speed, spin, direction, and bounce of the incoming serve
Cross-country running	The terrain, weather, and other runners create an unpredictable environment

Closed Skills

Definition: Skills performed in a stable, predictable environment where the performer controls the movement and is not affected by external factors during execution.

Feature	Detail
Environment	Stable, predictable
Adaptation	Minimal — the performer executes a rehearsed movement
Timing	Self-paced (the performer decides when to start)
Consistency	Each performance should look the same because the environment does not change

Examples:

Skill	Why It Is Closed
A penalty kick in football	The ball is stationary, the distance is fixed, and the performer decides when to start
A free throw in basketball	Stationary ball, fixed distance, no defenders in the way — the performer controls the timing
A gymnastics floor routine	The performer moves on a predictable surface with no opponents; the routine is pre-planned
A javelin throw	The performer controls the run-up, the throw, and the release — the environment is stable
A swimming race start	The blocks, the pool, and the starting signal are consistent; the performer executes a rehearsed dive

Placing Skills on the Continuum

graph LR
    O["OPEN"] --- A["Rugby<br>tackle"] --- B["Football<br>dribble"] --- C["Tennis<br>rally"] --- D["Penalty<br>kick"] --- E["Javelin<br>throw"] --- CL["CLOSED"]

    style O fill:#e74c3c,color:#fff
    style CL fill:#27ae60,color:#fff

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Combining the Two Continua

A skill can be classified on both continua simultaneously. This gives a fuller picture of the skill's nature.

Skill	Simple ←→ Complex	Open ←→ Closed
Forward roll (gymnastics)	Simple (few decisions, few sub-routines)	Closed (stable environment, self-paced)
Penalty kick (football)	Relatively simple (one action, limited decisions)	Closed (ball stationary, fixed distance)
Tennis serve	Complex (many sub-routines, decisions about placement/spin)	Closed (ball toss is self-initiated, environment stable at point of serve)
Rugby tackle	Complex (many decisions about timing, angle, body position)	Open (reacting to the ball carrier's movement)
Dribbling past a defender (football)	Complex (many decisions, multiple sub-routines)	Open (defender's position is unpredictable)
Swimming a length of front crawl	Relatively simple (repetitive stroke, limited decisions)	Closed (pool environment is stable and predictable)

Exam Tip: OCR frequently asks you to "classify a named skill using two continua." To score full marks: (1) name the continua, (2) state where the skill sits on each one, and (3) justify both placements with reference to the skill's characteristics.

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Why Classification Matters

Understanding how skills are classified helps coaches and performers in several practical ways:

Application	Explanation
Teaching methods	Simple, closed skills are best taught as a whole (whole practice). Complex, open skills may need to be broken down into parts (part practice).
Practice design	Open skills require practice in varied, unpredictable environments to simulate competition. Closed skills can be practised repeatedly in the same environment.
Progression	Beginners should start with simple, closed skills and progress to complex, open skills as their confidence and ability develop.
Feedback	Performers learning closed skills can focus on technical feedback. Performers learning open skills also need feedback on decision-making and anticipation.

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Common Exam Mistakes