Motor Skills
Motor skills can be categorized in several ways. One of the most useful is (1) fundamental motor skills,
(2) manipulative skills, (3) body management skills, and (4) specialized sport skills.
Fundamental Motor Skills
Fundamental skills are those necessary for children to function successfully in their environment and
form the foundation of human movement. With a learned set of fundamental skills and a positive
feeling concerning activity settings, many people will involve themselves in a lifetime of activity.
Locomotor Skills: (used to move the body from one place to another or to project the body upward; they
form the foundation of gross motor coordination and involve large muscle movement)
Even Rhythm
Walk – transferring the body weight from one foot to the other or a step
Run – similar to the walk, but faster and with a longer stride; at some point the
individual is air-borne
Leap – similar to the run, but with a greater vertical component; the body remains airborne much longer than in the run
Hop – push-off from one foot and land on the same foot
Jump – take-off from one or both feet with the landing on two feet
Uneven Rhythm (combinations of the locomotor skills listed above in an uneven rhythm)
Skip – combines a walk and a hop
Slide – a step to the side by the lead foot followed by a closing step with the other foot
Gallop – a forward slide
Nonlocomotor Skills: (generally performed from a stationary base and without appreciable movement
from place to place)
Bend/Stretch – movement around a joint, also known as flexion/extension at a joint
Push/Pull – movement of an object or body part away from the body/movement of an object or
body part closer to the body
Swing/Sway – a circular or pendular movement around a fixed center with the axis above the
moving part/pendular movement with the axis below the moving part
Twist/turn – rotation of the body or body part around a stationary base/partial of full rotation
of the body while shifting its base of support
Manipulative Skills
Manipulative skills are those in which a child handles an object with the hands, feet, or other body parts.
These skills are basic to a number of specialized sport skills. Equipment such as hoops, wands, balloons,
beanbags, rings, Lummi sticks, various types of balls, Frisbees, scoops, scarves, long and short ropes,
parachutes and panelchutes, ribbons, scooters, and footbags are some of the objects used to help
students develop manipulative, rhythmical and locomotor skills. They also help students to develop
hand-eye and foot-eye coordination and dexterity.
Throwing (three types)
Vertical Throw – the ball is held in front of the body in the fingers of the two hands,
with one hand on either side of the ball; lower the ball, hips, and knees to begin the
throw; raise the arms and extend the legs releasing the ball above shoulder height;
follow through with the arms straight up
Underhand Throw – performed using one of two hands to support the ball; hold the ball
in the fingers of one or two hands at one side of the body; transfer the body weight to
the supporting foot on the backswing; step forward on the opposite foot on the throw;
keep your eye on the target; release the ball and follow through in the direction of the
target
Overhand Throw – (mature throwing form) grip the ball with the fingers of the throwing
hand; turn the opposite side of the body towards the target, shifting your weight to the
back foot; step forward on the opposite foot, leading with the elbow as the throwing
arm moves forward; extend the arm and release the ball; follow through in the direction
of the target and finally down across the body
Catching – move in line with the object as it approaches, eyes fixed on the object, reaching out
with the arms towards it, and on contact, bring the hands in to absorb the force
Striking – a variety of body parts and implements may be used to strike an object; the object to
be struck may be moving or stationary; hand-eye and/or foot-eye coordination are important
for success
Bouncing (Dribbling) – pushing the ball with the finger pads or inside/outside of the feet
Striking with the Hand or Implement – standing in a forward/backward stride position,
swing the arm backwards, then move the arm forward making contact when optimum
speed has been achieved, and follow through in the intended direction; transfer weight
from the rear foot to the front foot as contact is made with the object; practice in
striking begins with the hands and progresses to paddles, bats, sticks, and racquets
Striking with the Feet – the body leans slightly forward with the head up, the kicking
foot is drawn back and then down and forward to contact the ball; the contact leg is
straight, and follows through in the direction of the target; the ball may be stationary or
moving; dribbling with the feet is also possible by alternately kicking the ball with the
inside of the feet, keeping the ball relatively close to the kicker.
Body Management Skills
Body management skills are required for control of the body in a variety of situations. They require an
integration of agility, coordination, strength, balance, and flexibility.
Starting – bend knees and lean forward; push-off by forcefully extending the legs; use arms to
drive the body forward in the direction of the start
Stopping – place one foot out in front of the other in a forward/backward-stride position; bend
knees, hips, and ankles to absorb the force of the movement; extend the arms to the sides to aid
in balance; the body weight is brought back and down over the base of support
Dodging – quickly shift the body or body parts away from an object or a person in the direction
that you want to go; bend knees, push-off and move in the new direction
Landing – gradually absorb the force as body parts contact a surface by bending knees ankles,
and hips (or other body parts); keep body weight over your base of support; extend arms to the
side for balance when landing on your feet
Fleeing/Chasing/Tagging – moving under control by making a preliminary movement in one
direction (faking) before determining the final path/chase by focusing on the waistline of the
dodger to negate the fake/tag between the knees and shoulders in a gentle but firm manner
Large Apparatus Activities – these activities offer the student an opportunity to learn body
management skills while free of ground support; included are rope climbing activities, bench
activities, balance beam activities, and jumping boxes
Small Apparatus Activities – these activities help develop body control in space and on the
ground; included are magic ropes, individual mats, and gym scooters
Specialized Sport Skills
The specialized sport skills discussed refer only to some of those that would be taught at the EC-6
level. Most modified sport skills are taught in grades 3-6, with the exception of the elementary
gymnastic skills of stunts and tumbling and some balance beam work. Specialized sport skills have a
rhythm and should be practiced at normal speed. The following specialized sport skills are listed for
information only and reflect the magnitude of the expertise needed to be an effective physical
educator.
Gymnastics
Stunts and tumbling – Animal walks, individual stunts, partner and group stunts, individual
tumbling skills, individual balances, partner balances, etc.
Balance beam – (heights range from a few inches to four feet) mounts, moving on the beam,
turns, tumbling movements, balances, and dismounts
Parallel bars – (heights may be fixed at 30 inches or may be adjustable) mounts, balances,
travel/swings, and dismounts
Horizontal bars – (about shoulder height) mounts, stunts, and dismounts
Uneven parallel bars – mounts, balances, swinging/moving, and dismounts
Vaulting – (spring board, Swedish boxes, benches or horses) mounts and vaults
Track, Field, and Cross-Country
Running Events
Starts
Sprints
Middle Distance
Distance
Relays
Hurdles
Field Events
Jumping – broad jump or standing jump, long jump, and high jump
Throwing – shot put (a softball may ball may be used); javelin and discus are seldom
taught at the elementary level
Cross-Country
Marked courses
Unmarked courses
Softball
Throwing
Pitching
Catching and Fielding
Batting
Base running
Soccer
Offensive Skills
Passing
Kicking
Controlling
Dribbling
Volleying (including heading)
Shooting
Defensive Skills
Tackling
Jockeying
Throw- Ins
Goalkeeping
Punting (goalkeeper only)
Basketball
Shooting (one-hand shot, lay-up, and free throw)
Dribbling
Passing
Catching
Defending
Stopping
Pivoting
Feinting (faking)
Racquet Sports (tennis, badminton, racquetball, handball or wall ball)
Grip
Ready position
Forehand
Backhand
Serve
Volley
Football
Forward pass
Lateral pass
Catching
Handing off the ball
Carrying the ball
Running and dodging
Centering the ball
Stance
Blocking
Punting
Hockey
Gripping and carrying the stick
Passing
Forward pass
Receiving
Stick handling
Shooting
Face-off
Goalkeeping
Volleyball
Serving
Setting
Forearm pass
Blocking
Spiking
Critical Thinking Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
Which TEKS do motor skills address?
How familiar are you with the categories of motor skills?
Do you have a clear delineation of the mechanics of the various skills?
Would you be able to detect errors and correct skills of students?