According to NSW HSC “skill acquisition refers to the process that athletes use to learn or acquire a new skill”. Skill acquisition is a process that requires cognitive (thinking) processes to work with our physical abilities to learn how to perform movements that we were previously unfamiliar with. For me as a player to produce peak performance of …show more content…
The volleyball serve is classified as gross. Gross motor skills are those which include whole body movement and also the large muscles of the body to perform (Childdevelopment.com.au, 2015). The serve is classified as gross because I use my arm and shoulder to swing power into the ball, the arm and shoulder being large body muscles. The serve is classified as discrete for there is a recognisable beginning and end, as I begin with my arm back and finish swinging through the hit. The serve is closed there is no impact. It is completely up to …show more content…
The stage that I am at is low associative. Associative is the second stage, often players do not move beyond this stage. Fundamentals of the skill have often been learnt, and performance is more consistent. Fewer errors are made but are less frequent in comparison to the cognitive stage.The athlete should also have the ability to evaluate, detect and correct errors. Feedback is essential to improve the skill, which the learner repeats frequently in practice sessions, as practice will progress the way the skill is performed.Gradually, the learner feels more at ease as their confidence increases (Barraclough, 2008). Demonstrations, videos of the athlete performing and verbal advice of corrections are useful for someone in the associate stage (How does the acquisition of skill affect performance, 2015). I would classify myself as low associative as I still regularly adjust my technique for example I often intertwine between the flat palm serve or the fist technique. I am also able to perceive when and why I have made an error, however the degree of error has been reduced. For example I am able to serve the ball landing within the court, however the occasional ball will be served way off court, due to my low associative level. I am also unable to serve the ball where I desire it to land due to my level. When I make an error I still rely on significant feedback from my teacher and peers. I depend on