What characterizes closed motor skills?

Closed motor skills are defined by the predictability of the environment in which they are performed, and they are typically executed under self-paced conditions. This means that the performer can control the timing and execution of the skill without interference from external factors. Examples include activities like bowling or performing a free throw in basketball, where the conditions remain constant and predictable during the execution of the skill.

In contrast, skills performed in a rapidly changing environment, those that solely involve large muscle groups, or skills that always require high speed do not fit the definition of closed motor skills as they introduce variability and unpredictability that influence the execution of the skill.