Which of the following best describes a serial skill?

A serial skill is characterized as a skill that involves a series of discrete movements combined in a specific order to perform a task. For instance, in gymnastics or a dance routine, various discrete skills—like a flip or a jump—are performed in sequence to achieve a more complex skill. This combination creates a fluid movement that is essential in many physical activities.

In contrast, a single, well-defined action refers to discrete skills that are performed independently and do not rely on preceding or subsequent movements. Repeated actions without a clear beginning describe skills that are more continuous in nature, such as running or swimming, where there are no distinct start or end points. A skill initiated by an external factor highlights actions prompted by influence, such as responding to a ball in soccer, which does not fit the definition of a serial skill since it doesn’t involve the same kind of sequence of combined movements.

Therefore, identifying a serial skill as a combination of discrete skills appropriately reflects the complexity and the nature of the skill being performed.