A study determined the frequency and distribution of the utilization of selected motor skills by third and fourth grade children.  Four third grade and four classes were videotaped playing kickball in their natural settings as played under the direction of each classroom teacher (n=153; males=74 & females=79).

The average length of the kickball games observed was 18 minutes.

Findings were:

1.    Average actual playing time per game was 7.93 minutes.
2.    Percent of playing time was 49.98% for grade three and 40.22% for grade four.
       Therefore, less than one-half of the game time was spent in actual motor skill preparation.
3.    The average number of kicks per student was 1.87.
4.    The average number of catches per student was 2.28.
5.    Thirty-five percent of the students never caught a ball.  Of those, 83% were girls.
6.    The average number of throws per student, excluding those by the pitcher and the catcher,
       was 1.22.
7.    Fifty-two percent never threw the ball.  Sixty-seven percent were girls.
8.    Three students (all girls) did not utilize any of the above motor skills selected for analysis.
9.    The highest percentage of time was devoted to organization, standing in line, standing in
       the field, and confusion.

The reliability of the analyzer was over .90 for the two classes on which reliability was determined.