MOTOR LEARNING AND LAWN BOWLS

There are three stages of learning that define an athlete’s skill level. The first stage is the cognitive stage, where the beginner learns the skills and makes common and consistent errors. In a lawn bowls performance a cognitive learner would have errors in their form, show inconsistency in their accuracy and a lack knowledge of how the game works. The second stage is the associative stage, where the athlete makes fewer mistakes and has a better understanding of the skills required to play the sport. In lawn bowls, the performer would show satisfactory technique, for example feet would be at a certain width apart to ensure good balance, and the follow through would be held for the recommended three seconds. The third and final stage of skill learning is the autonomous stage, where the athlete performs the skill automatically without having to focus on the execution (Sports Training Advisor, 2009). In relation to lawn bowls an autonomous athlete would rarely make a mistake, execute the form, release and follow through without having to focus on getting the technique right and being able to focus on tactics and strategy.

 

Throughout the unit I assessed my skill levels, based on my findings, my stage of learning is the associative stage, although I am still showing some characteristics of the cognitive stage. This is due to my extensive knowledge on how to execute skills and understand how the game works, even though my consistency and accuracy in performing these skills is lacking in some areas. This is due to minor errors in my form – such as stepping with my least dominant foot forward, my follow through, consistency of my delivery and accuracy with my line. Based on my knowledge of the sport and small errors, it is clear that I am at the associative stage with minor references to the cognitive stage.

 

An associative learner has already learnt the fundamentals and mechanics of the skill, therefore the performance is less variable and more consistent. The errors are less frequent and the athlete develops the ability to detect and correct errors (PDHPE, n.d). There are certain characteristics that define each stage of learning and certain aspects of a performance will determine the stage of learning the athlete is categorised in. For example, based on my pre-delivery phase, delivery phase and follow through shown in the video it is clear that my technique and understanding of the process of the delivery would match that of an associative learner. As you can see from my video analysis, the follow through lasts for the recommended three seconds, my posture and delivery phase is well executed and my feet are wide enough apart to lower my centre of gravity without becoming unstable.