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We use and develop many skills when we take part in physical activity.

In this article you can find out about:

• Different skills and qualities needed for physical activity
• Examples of how we might use the skills and qualities in daily life and physical activity
• Activities you can try to develop those skills

This resource is suitable for Physical Education for P2, P3, P4, P5, P6 and P7 (First and Second Level Curriculum for Excellence).

Aim is when you point or direct something towards a target.

Accuracy is about how close you get to your target.

We need aim and accuracy when we:

• serve a ball to our partner in tennis
• kick the ball into the back of the net in football
• throw the ball close to the target in boccia

Here are some activities that can help you develop your aim and accuracy:

Bat The Ball
Double Whammy
Hot Shot
Rollerball
Boom Boom Balloon
Balloon Tennis
Throw Clap

Balance is the ability to hold the body in a steady, stable position. This can be when we are static or when we are moving.

Control is the ability to manage the body and the way that it moves.

We need balance and control when we:

• perform and land a jump
• run backwards
• hold a pose in gymnastics or dance

Here are some activities that can help you develop your balance and control:

Bean Bag Balance
Standing Long Jump
Slalom Weave
North, South, East, West
Don’t Drop The Ball

Rhythm is the ability to match actions with the speed of someone or something else, like music.

Timing is the ability to perform an action at a specific point.

We need rhythm and timing when we:

• perform dance routines in time with a piece of music
• play clapping games (like A Sailor Went to Sea, Sea, Sea)
• put a foot out to stop a pass in football

Here are some activities that can help you develop your rhythm and timing:

Throw Clap
Double Whammy
Jumping Jacks
Rollerball
Bat The Ball

Coordination is the ability to move different body parts together in a balanced and controlled way.

Fluency is the ability to do these movements smoothly.

We need coordination and fluency when we:

• dribble a basketball whilst moving up the court
• throw a ball between each other when playing catch
• do a cartwheel

Here are some activities that can help you develop your coordination and fluency:

Double Whammy
Don’t Drop The Ball
Boom Boom Balloon
Rollerball
Scatter

Speed is the ability to move individual body parts or the whole body quickly.

Agility is the ability to change direction with balance and speed.

We need speed and agility when we:

• chase after someone during games
• sprint
• play badminton or table tennis

Here are some activities that can help you develop your speed and agility:

Need For Speed
Scatter
Slalom Weave
Hot Shot

Jumping power is the ability to jump as high as you can.

We need jumping power when we:

• dunk a basketball
• jump up to shoot a hoop in basketball
• jump up to save a goal in football

Here are some activities that can help you develop your strength and power:

North, South, East, West
Standing Long Jump
I Can Jump Higher

Stamina is the ability of the body to keep moving and not tire.

Endurance is the ability to keep working hard over a long time.

We need stamina and endurance when we:

• run a long distance race
• climb lots of stairs
• cycle with friends for a long time

Here are some activities that can help you develop your stamina and endurance:

Jumping Jacks
Balloon Tennis
Need For Speed
North, South, East, West

Flexibility is the ability to create different shapes with the body by bending, stretching or twisting.

We need flexibility when we:

• stretch
• do the splits
• hold a pose in dance or gymnastics

Here are some activities that can help you develop your flexibility:

Balloon Tennis
Scatter
I Can Jump Higher
Boom Boom Balloon
Bean Bag Balance

Focus is the ability to give attention to something.

Concentration is the ability to maintain focus over a period of time.

We need focus and concentration when we:

• listen to instructions
• try to putt a ball in golf
• make a shot in basketball

Here are some activities that can help you develop your focus and concentration:

Bat The Ball
Boom Boom Balloon
Don’t Drop The Ball
Bean Bag Balance
Double Whammy
North, South, East, WestNeed For Speed

Problem solving is the ability to look at a problem and find a solution to it.

Creativity is the ability to come up with new ideas.

We need problem solving and creativity when we:

• make up dance routines
• think about how to get past a defender or defeat an opponent in sport

Here are some activities that can help you develop your problem solving and creativity:

Don’t Drop The Ball
Throw Clap
Bat The Ball
North, South, East, West
I Can Jump Higher

Teamwork is the ability to work with other people to achieve a goal.

Communication is the ability to share information with others. Communication can be verbal or non-verbal.

We need teamwork and communication when we:

• have a rally in tennis or badminton
• pass a ball to our teammates to keep it away from opponents in football
• run with a partner in a 3-legged race

Here are some activities that can help you develop your teamwork and communication:

Balloon Tennis
Don’t Drop The Ball
North, South, East, West