The six characteristics
0413 names six characteristics, each needing a precise definition. Fluent -- the movement flows smoothly, no hesitation. Aesthetically pleasing -- looks good to watch, well-timed and graceful. Consistent -- the same quality is reproduced every time. Accurate -- precise, so it hits its intended outcome. Goal-directed -- done with a clear purpose or plan. Coordinated -- body parts work together in the right order.
Two groups: looks vs works
Sort the six into two groups. How it looks -- fluent, coordinated, aesthetically pleasing: is it smooth, well-timed, body parts together. Whether it works -- accurate, consistent, goal-directed: does it hit the target, can it be repeated, is it purposeful. This grouping is a study aid, not an official syllabus term, so always answer using the exact named characteristic, not the group.
Several at once, then apply
Real skilled actions rarely show one characteristic alone -- most show several at once. A gymnast's floor routine can be fluent, coordinated and aesthetically pleasing together; a tennis serve can be accurate, goal-directed and consistent at once. Because AO2 (application) is half of Paper 1, a definition alone rarely earns full marks: the answer must name a physical activity and show how that action shows the chosen characteristic.
Drawn from real examiner reports.
'Skilful' is too vague
Candidates reach for vague words -- "the performer is good", "it is efficient", "they are skilful" -- instead of the precise characteristic the mark scheme rewards. "Skilful" is too broad: it never tells the examiner which of the six named characteristics is shown. Name the exact characteristic and use its word.
Accurate vs consistent (label check)
Key definition trap. Accurate is about a single attempt -- precise, hitting its outcome. Consistent is about repetition -- reproducing that quality every time. Candidates name one but describe the other: labelling a shot "accurate", then explaining the player "does it the same way every time" (that is consistency). Check the description matches the label.
Digest (### 3.2): a named characteristic is mismatched with its description, e.g. naming "accuracy" but describing "consistency" (s22 P11 Q8a).
Apply it -- don't repeat the stem
Asked to apply a characteristic to a named activity (e.g. tennis), a weak answer gives a generic description fitting any sport -- "the player is good and does it well" -- or simply repeats the question stem, which scores nothing. Add a specific, concrete detail: which shot, which phase, which outcome shows the characteristic.
Digest (### 3.2): applying characteristics to a named activity (e.g. tennis) is answered with generic, unrelated descriptions, sometimes simply repeating content already given in the question (w23 P12 Q7c).
Fluent vs coordinated
Fluent and coordinated are often treated as one thing but differ. Fluent describes the whole movement flowing smoothly, without hesitation -- timing and continuity. Coordinated describes different body parts working together in the right order. To show coordination, name the limbs and trunk acting in sequence rather than just repeating "smooth".
Characteristic ≠ fitness component
Don't confuse a characteristic of skilled performance with a component of fitness. Speed, strength, power and endurance are components of fitness (topic 2.3); the characteristics are the six named here. If a question asks for a characteristic of skilled performance, answering with a fitness component earns no credit.
Accurate ≠ consistent
Students use "accurate" and "consistent" interchangeably, but they test different things. A single dart on the bullseye is accurate -- that one attempt hit its target. Landing it on the next nine throws too is consistency -- reproducing the quality every time. Keep them separate: accurate = one good attempt, consistent = repeated good attempts.
Goal-directed isn't trying hard
Don't read goal-directed as "trying hard" or "wanting to win". It describes the movement having a clear purpose or plan -- e.g. a midfielder deliberately passing into space -- not effort or motivation. A performer can try their hardest yet play an action with no tactical purpose, so it is not goal-directed. Tie the word to the movement's purpose, not effort.
Name activity, detail, why
Apply, don't just define. Name a physical activity, give a specific detail of the action (which shot, phase or outcome) showing the characteristic, then add why it matters for performance. Only defining, or never naming an activity, caps the marks.
Choose a suited activity
Pick an activity that suits the characteristic rather than defaulting to the sport in the stem, which risks a forced answer. Use gymnastics or diving for aesthetically pleasing, a penalty or dart throw for accurate. A good choice makes the detail easy to give.
Match the command word
Read the command word. "State" wants only the characteristic word; "describe" wants what it looks like; "explain" wants why it matters. Answers often stay at description level when "explain" was set, losing marks -- decide what the command word demands first.
A skilled performance is judged against six named characteristics.
| Characteristic | What it means |
|---|---|
| Fluent | the movement flows smoothly, with no hesitation, from start to finish |
| Aesthetically pleasing | the performance looks good to watch -- well-timed and graceful |
| Consistent | the same quality of performance can be reproduced every time, not just once |
| Accurate | the technique is precise and correct, so it achieves its intended outcome |
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