short-handled implement: A piece of equipment used in performing motor skills. The short handle allows the hand to be close to the surface of the implement that comes in contact with the ball. Some examples include a racquetball racket, a paddle used in paddle games, and a modified lacrosse stick. CF
simple skills: Skills that have only one or two parts (for example, running or skipping). CF
skill-related physical fitness: Those components of physical fitness that relate to an enhanced performance in sports: agility, balance, coordination, power, speed, and reaction time. CF
skip: A step-hop on one foot and then the other. CF
slide: A step-together-step in a sideward direction with the same foot always leading. CF
small-sided games: Organized games in which the number of players involved is reduced from the conventional competitive version of the sport (e.g., 2v2 basketball, 3v3 volleyball, 6v6 lacrosse). NS
small-sided practice tasks: Small-sided games or deliberate tasks designed to practice particular skills or tasks. NS
special education: “Special education means specially designed instruction, at no cost to the parent, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability, including instruction conducted in the classroom, in the home, in hospitals, and institutions, and in other settings; and instruction in physical education” (U.S. Department of Education 2006. Assistance to states for the education of children with disabilities program and preschool grants for children with disabilities; final rules. Federal Register, 71, 34 CFR Parts 300 and 301). CF
specialized manipulative skills: Fundamental skills that have been adapted to the special requirements of a particular sport, game, or physical activity (e.g., volleyball serve, tennis forearm stroke, badminton clear, basketball layup, soccer trap, softball pitch, golf swing). CF
specialized movement skills: Fundamental skills that have been adapted to the special requirements of a particular sport, game, or physical activity (e.g., grapevine step, high jump, long jump, hurdles). CF
specific corrective feedback: Feedback that provides the performer with specific recommendations on how to perform the skill correctly (“You need to step forward on your left foot). CF
specific feedback: Feedback that provides the performer with specific recommendations on how to perform the skill correctly. CF
specific positive feedback: Feedback that is positive (“Good job!”) and specific (“You stepped forward on the left foot”). CF
specificity: A principle of related training that establishes a particular kind of activity for each component of physical fitness. CF
speed: A skill-related fitness component relating to performing a movement in a short period of time. CF
squat: A lower body exercise performed by bending the knees (no lower than a 90-degree angle), lowering the torso, and then rising to a standing position. CF
stability movements: Stability reflects balance and equilibrium, which are important components in performing many motor skills. Stability movements include those that are vital for the body to maintain balance while moving, Examples include moving the arms while walking or running and lowering one’s center of gravity when stopping quickly. CF
stages of learning: Individuals pass through three stages to become proficient at a motor skill (Fitts and Posner 1967):
- Stage 1 (verbal-cognitive stage): initial stage of learning, in which verbal and cognitive processes predominate.
- Stage 2 (associative or motor stage): stage of learning in which motor programs are developed and the performance becomes increasingly consistent.
- Stage 3 (autonomous stage): an advanced stage of learning in which the learner develops automaticity in action and information processing. CF
static: A stationary condition. For example, static stretching or static balance. CF
station teaching: The creation of discrete learning areas where students perform a movement at a station for a designated period of time and then move on to the next station. CF
strategies: Decisions made by individuals or a team about the overall play of the game. CF
striking: “A ballistic, propulsion skill… with several forms, such as sidearm, underarm or overarm, one-handed and two-handed” (Gallahue et al., 2012, p. 214). Common examples include batting, hitting with a racket and serving a volleyball. NS
striking pattern: A fundamental motor skill in which an object is hit with or without an implement. CF
student discipline plan: Guides student behavior, outlines consequences for inappropriate behavior, and sets goals for student improvement in behavior. CF
students with special needs: Refers to students who are marginalized in physical education, students whose cultural and religious practices require special consideration, English learners, students with long-term and short-term medical needs, at-risk learners, advanced learners, and students with disabilities. CF
stunts: Activities that require balance, agility, coordination, weight transfer, and strength. Typically referred to as activities that lead up to tumbling and gymnastics. CF
supplies: Refers to those materials that are expendable and that need to be replaced at frequent intervals, usually annually, such as basketballs and playground balls. CF