Sports Skill Analysis

Book excerpt: Guided by the conceptualization of content knowledge, this book covers sports analysis (identification of techniques and tactics), skill analysis (identification of critical elements, observation, evaluation of students’ performance through error detection, and interventions), and biomechanical principles and their applications to skill performance and analysis, which teachers or coaches need to possess for effective teaching and coaching. The importance for preservice and in-service physical education teachers or coaches to acquire in-depth content knowledge is supported by national standards and research. Studies have shown that an improvement in preservice and in-service physical education teachers’ specialized content knowledge leads to an increase in their pedagogical content knowledge, which results in better learning and performance among students. Practical examples for conducting sports and skill analysis, designing teaching progressions for interventions, and applying biomechanical principles are provided. This book equips teachers or coaches with knowledge and skills to conduct sports and skill analysis, which are essential for effective teaching and coaching, and will be key reading for undergraduate and graduate students majoring in physical education teacher education and sports coaching and in-service physical education teachers and current coaches.