← Sports Science syllabus

SingaporeSports Science

Skill Acquisition

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How are motor skills classified, and why does placing a skill on a continuum help a coach teach it?

Classify motor skills using continua (open and closed, gross and fine, simple and complex) and justify the placement
A focused answer to the O-Level ESS outcome on skill classification. The open-closed, gross-fine and simple-complex continua, and how to justify placing a sporting skill on each.
8 min answer →

How does an athlete take in information, decide and act, and what affects reaction time?

Describe the information-processing model (input, decision making, output, feedback) and the factors affecting reaction time
A focused answer to the O-Level ESS outcome on information processing. The input-decision-output-feedback model, memory, and the factors affecting reaction time, with a ruler-drop calculation.
9 min answer →

How does a learner progress from beginner to expert, and how should coaching change at each stage?

Describe the cognitive, associative and autonomous stages of learning and the coaching appropriate to each
A focused answer to the O-Level ESS outcome on stages of learning. The cognitive, associative and autonomous stages, their features, and how feedback and coaching change at each.
8 min answer →

What types of practice, guidance and feedback develop skill, and when should each be used?

Describe the types of practice, guidance and feedback and select the most appropriate for a given skill and learner
A focused answer to the O-Level ESS outcome on practice and feedback. Massed and distributed, fixed and variable, whole and part practice, types of guidance, and types of feedback.
9 min answer →