Speed –
Accuracy Tradeoff in Sport Skills
Traci Ciapponi
University of California at
Chico
The speed accuracy tradeoff phenomenon is one of the most often observed occurrences in movement behavior. This well researched though little understood concept about how an individual who is performing a skill will sacrifice speed for accuracy or vice versa has been termed the speed accuracy tradeoff (SAT) theory (Kluka, 1999; Magill, 1998; Rose, 1997; Schmidt, 1991; Schmidt & Wrisberg, 2000; Shea, Shebilske, & Worchel, 1993).
The goal and nature of the task determines how the SAT will effect the performance. If the main goal of a fine motor skill is to be accurate and move quickly at the same time (e.g. typing), then the SAT effects may be different than if the goal of a gross motor skill, a total body movement, is to move quickly and hit the target (e.g. baseball pitcher).
One of the more interesting situations is when both
accuracy (timing or location) and speed components (e.g. batting in
baseball/softball) are required within the same task. In these situations, emerging research suggests that moving with
a speed emphasis yields positive results in many elements of the movement,
including a better movement pattern, a more consistent movement, increased timing
accuracy, and even better location accuracy (depending on the skill). In reality, research has shown that for many
real-life skills, increasing speed does not decrease accuracy. It may actually improve it. So during practice…go ahead…when in doubt, hit
it out!
Emphasize speed first, or near-maximal speeds/forces in many real-life motor skills. Some practice examples in which encourage faster, more forceful movements include:
¨ Throwing a ball as far down the room as possible vs. throwing to a partner
¨ Throwing beyond the golf clubs lying on the ground at different distances
¨ Throwing a ball against a wall so that it rebounds back to the thrower.
¨ Hitting tennis serves against the backstop rather than into the tennis court
¨ Spiking a volleyball down to the floor
¨ Throwing lacrosse balls into large targets rather than to a partner
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