A skilled free-throw shooter misses a free throw by hitting the front of the rim. This is most likely an error in which stage of information processing?

When considering the stage of information processing involved when a skilled free-throw shooter hits the front of the rim, it's important to focus on the output stage. In this context, output refers to the execution of the motor skill following the decision-making process, which includes the actual physical action of shooting the free throw.

The free throw involves a sequence where the athlete must first perceive the necessary information (input), process that information to decide on the best action (decision-making), and finally carry out the action (output). Hitting the front of the rim indicates a miscalculation or error in the execution of the shot, which reflects problems in the output stage. This could stem from various mechanical aspects such as improper release point, insufficient power, or incorrect body alignment.

This distinction highlights that while input and decision-making are vital in performing skills accurately, the specific occurrence of missing the target by hitting the rim primarily points to deficiencies in the output stage, where physical execution takes place. Understanding this helps in identifying where a shooter may need improvement, allowing for targeted training or practice.