Developing physical skills and tactics (Unit 1)

In Physical Education Studies a movement skill is a learned ability to bring about a planned movement outcome with consistency and economy of effort, such as a chest pass, a tennis serve or a racing dive. A technique is the particular way the skill is performed: the body positions, sequence of joint actions and timing that make up the movement.

Two players can both own the skill of kicking, yet one may use a drop punt technique and the other a torpedo. Sport-specific skills are those shaped by the rules, equipment and demands of one activity.

Unit 1 asks you to see skill through the lens of the body. Every technique depends on functional anatomy (bones acting as levers, muscles pulling across joints), on energy systems that supply ATP for the effort, and on components of fitness that set limits. A volleyball spike needs power from the quadriceps and gluteus maximus for the jump, flexibility at the shoulder for the arm swing, and coordination to time contact.

If any of these is weak, the technique breaks down, especially late in a match when fatigue builds.

Developing a range of skills means practising them under conditions that gradually move closer to competition. A sensible progression is: learn the basic technique slowly, repeat it with feedback, add speed and force, then add pressure from opponents or time. Each practice session should begin with a warm-up that raises heart rate and body temperature and rehearses the joint actions of the skill.

• Invasion games (netball, soccer, AFL): passing, receiving, evading, tackling.
• Net/court games (badminton, volleyball): serving, setting, smashing, footwork.
• Striking/fielding games (cricket, softball): batting, throwing, catching.
• Individual activities (athletics, swimming, gymnastics): starts, turns, take-offs and landings.