What defines externally paced skills?

Externally paced skills are characterized by the fact that the timing and execution of the skill are influenced by external factors, such as the actions of opponents or environmental conditions. This means that athletes must react and adjust their performance based on dynamic situations that are not entirely in their control.

For example, in sports like soccer or basketball, a player must adapt their movements and decisions based on the opponents' actions, making these skills open and reliant on quick decision-making in response to changing circumstances. The ability to assess and respond effectively to external cues is crucial for executing such skills successfully, highlighting that they are governed by the context in which they are performed rather than by the individual effort alone.

This is what distinguishes externally paced skills from other types that might be executed in a more controlled environment, where the performer has complete control over timing and movement.