AQA GCSE Physical Education Paper 2: Socio-cultural influences and wellbeing in physical activity and sport, June 2025: Question 5
1 mark · Easy difficulty · Multiple Choice
Identify which of the given sporting actions is an example of a self-paced skill.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
05 Which one of these is an example of a self-paced skill?
[1 mark]
A Intercepting a pass in hockey
B Marking an opponent in netball
C Performing a pole vault
D Returning a badminton smash
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
05 Which one of these is an example of a self-paced skill?
[1 mark]
Marks for this question: AO2 = 1
Answer C – Performing a pole vault. (1)
How to answer it
Classification of Skills: Self-Paced vs Externally-Paced
This question assesses your ability to apply knowledge (AO2) of skill classification continua in sport. Specifically, you need to identify the defining characteristics of a self-paced (internally-paced) skill versus an externally-paced skill and recognise them in practical sporting examples.
Identifying a Self-Paced Skill
AQA GCSE Physical Education — Paper 2 (Socio-cultural influences & sports psychology)
✅ Correct Answer
C — Performing a pole vault
• 1 mark for selecting option C.
• AO2 = 1 mark (Application of knowledge to a practical sporting context).
💡 Key Knowledge: The Pacing Continuum
- Self-paced (Internally-paced): The performer controls the start and the rate/speed of the action. Usually occurs in a closed, predictable environment (e.g., pole vault, javelin throw, gymnastics vault, penalty kick).
- Externally-paced: The start and rate of the skill are controlled by external factors such as opponents, teammates, or the environment (e.g., reacting to a pass, marking, defending).
🧠 Exam Technique: Process of Elimination
Ask yourself: "Who controls when this action starts and how fast it happens?"
| Option | Classification | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| A: Intercepting a pass in hockey | Externally-paced | You must react directly to where and when the opponent hits the ball. |
| B: Marking an opponent in netball | Externally-paced | Your timing and movements depend entirely on the opponent's movements. |
| C: Performing a pole vault | Self-paced | The athlete decides when to begin their run-up and sets their own speed. |
| D: Returning a badminton smash | Externally-paced | You must react immediately to the speed, angle, and timing of the opponent's smash. |
❌ Common Misconceptions & Errors
- Confusing speed with pacing: Students often think that because a pole vault is fast and dynamic, it must be externally paced. Pacing refers to control over timing, not how slow or fast the total movement is.
- Ignoring opponents: Any skill where you must react directly to an opponent (like intercepting, tackling, or returning a smash) is virtually always externally-paced.
- Overcomplicating the context: Don't invent scenarios like "What if the wind changes during the pole vault?" Stick to the core definition: the vaulter initiates and controls their own approach run.
Topics
3.2 Socio-cultural influences and wellbeing in physical activity and sport · 3.2.1 Sports psychology
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physical Education examination, Paper 2: Socio-cultural influences and wellbeing in physical activity and sport, June 2025. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.