"Do, or do not. There is no try" - Yoda, 0BBY
Close observation of an athlete who demonstrates not only proficiency but mastery of a skill will highlight key characteristics. The characteristics of a skilled performer include kinaesthetic sense, anticipation, consistency and technique, as well as their mental approach.
This is considered the ‘sixth sense’ for athletes. The ability to feel and sense their movements is part of their autonomous performance. Thus they can correct and tweak their performance mid-movement or game. The kinaesthetic sense of a highly skilled athlete is one of their greatest weapons. This is demonstrated when an athlete is able to ‘feel’ what is happening, and know how they need to adjust even the smallest of movements to adapt to and conquer the situation. Former surfing world champion Kelly Slater showed tremendous kinaesthetic sense at the height of his career. He would regularly make small adjustments to his movements while surfing, depending on the prevailing conditions. His kinaesthetic sense presented itself as a fluid, technical and entertaining form of surfing never seen before.
Anticipation is the ability of someone to predict an outcome and act accordingly. A skilled performer with anticipation is able to stay ahead of their opponent using their instinctive awareness to counter them. In field hockey, an athlete with good anticipation is able to predict the direction of a pass, which space to manoeuvre towards and which way an opponent may strike the ball for a shot. This player tends to be ahead of the game, and therefore has greater time to respond. Through time and experience comes greater capacity for the athlete to outplay their opponent.
Consistency is the ability to do something repeatedly and achieve the same result. A skilled performer is said to consistently perform at a high level. This simply means that they can perform their chosen skill under the pressure of competition and achieve great results. For example, the best basketballers consistently make their shots. An unskilled performer will fail to make the majority of their shots – sometimes they get a couple of good shots but on other occasions, they miss badly. Most people can execute a particular skill reasonably well; however, the skilled performer can execute the same skill to a higher standard repeatedly. This consistency is very important in maintaining form across long seasons or during a game that requires constant attention and focus.
The technique of a skilled performer is an important characteristic. Technique is the procedure and method of executing the skill. The athlete with a superior technique has absolute control over their body and how it delivers the desire outcome. With well-developed technique comes efficiency and economy of movement, less chance of injury, greater kinaesthetic sense and, most importantly, a greater chance of performing the skill successfully.
The mental approach is often said to make the difference between champions. Many athletes are physically gifted and train exceptionally hard, yet never succeed. Therefore, the mental aspect of an athlete must play a role in success at the elite level.
To measure performance enables the coach and athlete to study and analyse their performance and that of an opponent more closely. Measurement normally involves gathering information and data.
There are two styles of measurement:
• objective measurement
• subjective measurement.
To objectively assess something, the judge must use a concrete measuring tool like a tape measure. When a long jumper lands in the sand, the judge measures the distance of the jump with the tape measure. The distance they have jumped cannot be disputed. This is an objective measure, and is said to be more reliable.
A subjective assessment is based more on opinion. For example, while long jump, high jump and sprint races all have objective measurement tools, a gymnast or a diver is judged on the basis of someone’s opinion, and hence this is a more subjective form of assessment. Sports that are measured subjectively often attempt to mitigate certain factors in order to create a more objective measure. Gymnastics judges must be experienced, impartial and able to apply the judging criteria.
Most athletes and coaches favour the measurement tools that are more objective, as the results have greater reliability.
Validity and reliability are two characteristics that establish the credibility of an assessment. If these characteristics are lacking, the results could be inaccurate or misleading. The validity of the test is defined by its ability to measure what it intends to. For example, a sit-and-reach test is a valid test of hamstring flexibility. This is proven, as the range of movement required comes through the hamstring muscle and surrounding joints. If the sit-and-reach test were used to measure shoulder flexibility, it would be an invalid test. Validity requires the test and the subject being measured to share a relationship. While a shuttle-run test is a valid measure of cardiorespiratory fitness in a runner, it would be an invalid test of strength. Significant work is often required to establish the validity of a test.
Reliability is a measure of consistency. Can the test achieve the same result if repeated? For example, if the sit-and-reach test is repeated again and again on the same subject, does that person achieve the same or similar results? There is often a plethora of variables that can potentially influence an assessment or test. In the case of sporting tests, the variables may include weather, opponents, equipment, surface and so on. If the test is to be regarded as reliable, it is important that these variables are controlled. This is why ergometers are often used to test power, speed and oxygen capacity. For example, if a rowing athlete wanted to test their power output, they would be best to use a rowing ergometer. The ergometer would be set up inside, and variables like temperature, wind resistance and water conditions could thus be controlled.
There are two recognised measures for judging: personal or prescribed criteria. A personal criterion is a judgement that is based on opinions, feeling and emotions about the performance. Often, coaches may use instinctual understanding and their personal judgement to choose a team. Spectators and fans always use personal criteria to assess the performance of everyone, from their favourite player to the umpire. This is a subjective form of appraisal.
A more complex and objective way to make a judgement is to apply a prescribed criterion. The application of prescribed judging criteria is common in sports like gymnastics and diving. The criterion helps to validate the judge’s opinion and improves the objectivity. The administrative body that oversees the sport will develop a set of criteria to identify specific elements the performance must include to achieve a certain score.