• Characteristics of skilled performers, eg kinaesthetic sense, anticipation, consistency, technique
• Objective and subjective performance measures
• Validity and reliability of tests
• Personal versus prescribed judging criteria

Characteristics of Skilled Performers

• Kinaesthetic sense
  • Coordination of mind and muscles in execution and assessment of a performance.
  • When an athlete reaches the autonomous stage of skill learning, they are fully aware of their good and bad performances.
  • Skilled athletes can also assess errors in performance observing movements and rectify them during performance.
• Anticipation
  • Ability of athletes to predict the chain of events during gameplay by observing patterns.
  • Techniques and strategies can be adjusted if possible outcomes can be predicted.
  • Crucial for sports that require agility and quick decision making under pressure. Example: tennis, baseball etc.
• Consistency
  • Ability to implement skills in congruence, even under unfavorable situations.
  • Can be gained through structured practice.
• Technique
  • Collection and execution of practical methods to carry out a task.
  • Techniques become fluent, efficient and successful with proper training, drills and other game related activities.

Objective and Subjective Performance Measures

• Objective performance measures are devoid of human analysis and interpretation (an observer).
• Includes measuring reliability and accuracy of the action performed, as well as justifying the action on the ground of existing rules.
• For example, when a ball is thrown into a basketball hoop, a score isn’t given until the referee deems that no fouls were committed and the throw was legitimate.
• Subjective performance measures pay heed to opinions and judgement rather than set rules.
• Example: a dance or gymnastic routine where individual judges register their own perception and opinion on the performance.

Validity and Reliability of Tests

• Validity of tests refer to the degree and ability of evaluation methods.
• All methods that are designed to analyse a performer’s capability of executing the required movements should be fair and objective.
• For example, a beep test should be used for testing aerobic fitness, in which case, a vertical jump test would render invalid results.
• Reliability of tests can be assessed when specific tests carried out on a large scale renders similar results under similar conditions.
• Tests are considered invalid when reliability test scores do not reflect standard parameters.

Personal Versus Prescribed Judging Criteria

• Personal judging criteria is focused on individual sense of judgement and opinion based on perception.
• Often considered inaccurate because they are subjective.
• Current events that require personal judgement have included rating scales and a standard evaluation checklist to enhance credibility.
• Prescribed judging is conducted based on set rules determined by an upper authority.
• Inclined towards a more objective assessment of performances to maintain fairness across all the verdicts given by judges.
• Also includes the use of rating scales, checklists and scoring systems.