Which scenario is an example of a closed motor skill?

• A. Playing soccer
• B. Brushing teeth
• C. Catching a moving ball
• D. Running a race on a track

Answer: (B)

Closed motor skills are performed in a stable, predictable setting where you initiate the movement yourself and control its timing. Brushing teeth fits this because you decide when to start, how long to brush, and the environment (toothbrush, toothpaste, sink) stays the same from moment to moment. There’s no moving object or unpredictable demand to react to, so the action remains self-paced and consistent.

In contrast, playing soccer requires reacting to teammates, opponents, and the ball’s trajectory; catching a moving ball depends on tracking and responding to a continually changing object; running a race on a track involves pacing and decisions in the presence of other racers and competition signals. These elements introduce variability and external timing, characteristic of open skills.