Which of the following is an example of a discrete motor skill?

• A. Steady Walk
• B. Hopping on One Foot
• C. Kicking a Ball
• D. Climb a Ladder

Answer: (C)

A discrete motor skill is defined by a clearly defined start and end, a single, purposeful movement that finishes quickly. Kicking a ball fits this perfectly: you begin the motion to strike, contact the ball, and the action ends when the ball is propelled away. The other options involve movement that isn’t a single brief action—steady walking is ongoing with no distinct endpoint, climbing a ladder requires multiple movements across steps, and hopping on one foot is made up of repeated cycles rather than one isolated action. Therefore, kicking a ball is the best example of a discrete motor skill.