Understanding Gross & Generic Motor Skills

Posted on Nov 5, 2024 in Physical Education

Gross Motor Skills

Movements

Moving our body from one point to another in space. Displacements are responsible for changes in our body’s position.

Walking

A supportive locomotion produced by the successive and alternate feet on a surface, with no aerial phase.

Running

A supportive alternative succession of lower limbs, involving aerial displacement.

Crawling

Displacement involving both supports, with segments above and below the horizontal plane.

Creeping

Movement with total or partial contact of the trunk with the surface.

Transport

Displacement not directly produced by the subject, but by other means.

Skipping

Global action involving jumping lightly and quickly.

Sliding

Moving on different surfaces using other items.

Basic Motor Patterns

These emerge from primary and rudimentary movements, closely associated with neuromuscular development, appearing within the first 5 years.

  1. Universality: Common motor behaviors across individuals, regardless of culture.
  2. Phylogenetic: Patterns that are part of species evolution (e.g., creeping, crawling). The evolution of humans to an upright posture.
  3. Pedagogical: Articulating a motor skill learning process, considering complexity levels and motor tasks.

Jumping

A fundamental human skill involving lifting the body off the ground momentarily.

Types of Jumps:

  • Long jump (horizontal)
  • Vertical jump
  • High jump with spins on one foot

Rotating

Any rotation around the body’s axes.

Releasing

Disposing of a mobile object after pushing with upper segments.

Receiving

Catching or picking up a stationary or moving object.

Developmental Stages:

  • First Stage: Poor reception, waiting stance (arms turned and glued to the body). Gradual use of hands to improve reception.
  • Second Stage: Improved coordination leads to tighter reception and overall improvement.

Generic Motor Skills

These skills stem from basic skills and form the basis of specific skills. They are common gestures related to various specific motor skills, providing a broad and varied experience base.

Throwing

Projecting a mobile object and controlling its trajectory with upper segments.

Classification:

  1. Static: Subject remains stationary.
  2. Dynamic: Subject is moving.

Striking

Hitting a moving body segment or implement with a sudden, violent encounter.

Motion Analysis:

  1. Preparation: Body adjustment to the mobile’s path.
  2. Contact: Point of collision.
  3. Follow-through: Time of contact between executor and mobile.

Guiding

Controlling and carrying a mobile object to a desired location.

Faking

Body movements to confuse an opponent.

Analysis:

  1. Stopping or slowing movement.
  2. Feinting with the body.
  3. Changing direction and pace for an advantageous position.

Stopping

Receiving an object without using hands, preparing for further actions.

  1. Advance
  2. Contact
  3. Cushioning
  4. Preparation

Intercepting

Cutting the path of a mobile object or individual.

Marking

Monitoring an opponent to prevent or control their actions.

Passing

Transferring a mobile object to a teammate.

Shooting

A precise pass aimed at scoring.

Pivoting

Turning with the mobile object to protect it and overcome an opponent.

Blocking

Intercepting an opponent to allow a teammate to pass.

Content of Motor Skills and Abilities

Concepts

  1. Motor schemes and adaptations
  2. Physical capacities and movement possibilities

Procedures

  1. Bodily and motor control before action
  2. Adapting motor skills to different environments
  3. General physical conditioning

Attitudes

  1. Interest in improving motor skills
  2. Valuing good motor performance