Skill and Ability Typeit

Skill in sport can be defined as a ability to perform, as opposed to ability, which is the innate characteristics and traits an individual possesses. As a result, there are many factors that can affect the variation in level:

• Age and maturity – Throughout our childhood years, we develop patterns that help with the performance of skills. These are refined as we mature and can be adapted to specific sports.
• Environment – Being in the right environment and having the necessary will help accelerate the learning of skills. For example, if there is no suitable local area to practise a skill, such as in a park, on a street, or in a specialised facility, this then presents a barrier to skill development.
• Arousal conditions – Optimum arousal needed for optimum skill development varies with skills, e.g. low optimum arousal for skills and high optimum arousal for skills.
• – Apprehension towards performing a skill will prevent the performer from practicing and thus developing. The performer should seek an environment to practise the skill that they do not perceive as , such as out of the public eye.
• Facilities – The facilities and resources available to the performer will determine the level of support for developing the skill. For example, access to tennis courts and racquets is essential if tennis skills are to be developed.
• Teaching and coaching – Greater access to teaching and coaching from an expert will increase the rate at which skills are acquired. This emphasises the need for a environment, both at home and at school.
• Motivation – The greater motivation a performer has, the more chance they will stick to learning of a skill. Performers will mostly rely on  motivation in their earlier years such as praise and encouragement. As they start to become more proficient, they can then use motivation which will lead to more sustained improvements in skill development. 
• Culture – There may be to participation in sport in some cultures. For example, many Muslim women are expected to wear full-body clothing and certain sports set specific clothing requirements, such as swimming. Therefore, it might affect their ability to develop skill in this sport.