AQA GCSE · Question 07.2 · Socio-cultural Influences and Well-being in Physical Activity and Sport
Classify the skill of a tennis serve using each of the following classifications:
basic/complex
open/closed
self-paced/externally paced
gross/fine.
Justify your choices.
How to approach this question
For each of the four classifications, choose the correct term for a tennis serve and then write a short justification explaining why you chose it, based on the definition of the classification.
Full Answer
- **Complex**: It is complex because it involves many sub-routines (e.g., ball toss, backswing, contact, follow-through) that need to be coordinated.
- **Closed**: It is closed because the environment is stable and predictable. The player decides when to start the action and is not affected by the opponent's movements.
- **Self-paced**: It is self-paced because the performer controls the rate at which the skill is executed. They decide when to begin the serve.
- **Gross**: It is a gross motor skill because it uses large muscle groups (legs, torso, arms) to generate power.
Skill classification helps us understand the nature of different motor skills.
- **Basic/Complex continuum**: Based on the amount of information to process and the number of sub-routines. A serve is complex.
- **Open/Closed continuum**: Based on the stability of the environment. A serve is closed as the player is in full control.
- **Self-paced/Externally paced continuum**: Based on who controls the timing. A serve is self-paced.
- **Gross/Fine continuum**: Based on the size of the muscle groups involved. A serve is predominantly a gross skill.
Common mistakes
Incorrectly classifying the serve as 'open' because it happens in a game environment. The specific action of the serve itself is closed. Also, some may argue it has fine elements, but it is predominantly gross.
Expert