ABSTRACT
Among the classifications that have been widely used by both researchers and practitioners in the fields of sport, exercise and performance psychology is one that classifies tasks by the level of environmental predictability – that is, the extent to which the environment is stable and predictable during actual performance. This chapter focuses on the psychological aspects of closed self-paced motor tasks performed in domains such as sport. It provides a broad definition of the term “closed self-paced motor task” and describes the characteristics of the performance settings of such tasks, focusing on the process adaptation. The chapter presents the theoretical framework used – the action perspective, and discusses performance routine in the preparation and execution of a closed self-paced motor task. A number of practical implications for sport psychology consultants and coaches are recommended. An example of physical and psychological routines that can be used in one closed self-paced motor task free-throw shots in basketball is also provided.
