Human Kinetics Coach Education Practice Exam

What type of skill is an athlete performing by using specific procedures to move her body to hit a pitched softball?

1. Tactical skills

2. Technical skills

3. Strategic skills

4. Psychological skills

The correct answer is: Technical skills

The correct answer highlights that the athlete is demonstrating technical skills, which refer to the specific physical movements and techniques required to perform a particular task effectively. In the context of hitting a pitched softball, technical skills encompass the mechanics of swinging the bat, coordinating body movement, and timing necessary to make contact with the ball. Technical skills are fundamental in many sports as they involve the precise execution of maneuvers, which are crucial for performance. Proper technique allows athletes to maximize their effectiveness and minimize the risk of injury. While tactical, strategic, and psychological skills play important roles in an athlete's overall performance, they do not directly pertain to the physical act of hitting a softball. Tactical skills involve decision-making in response to game situations, strategic skills focus on broader game plans, and psychological skills pertain to mental aspects such as focus and resilience. Therefore, in this scenario, the emphasis on specific procedures to execute the physical action of hitting clearly identifies it as a technical skill.