Motor programmes are stored routines that enable patterns of behaviour to be executed without continuous conscious control. Motor programmes are stored in the procedural part of long-term memory and are retrieved when a skill shall be performed. Motor programmes enables an individual to perform more than one task at the same time by freeing mental resources – this way, one task can be performed requiring conscious attention, while performing another one at an unconscious level (motor programme).

According to J.R. Anderson, the acquisition of such expertise involves three stages, namely: Cognitive, Associative and Autonomous.

• Cognitive phase – the learner thinks consciously about each individual action. In this phase, movements are slow, inconsistent, and inefficient. The learner might need to recite mentally or aloud the steps which need to be taken.
• Associative phase – the separate components of the overall action become integrated. Movements become more fluid, reliable, and some parts of the action are controlled automatically.
• Automatic phase – the total manoeuvre can be executed smoothly without conscious control. At this stage, trying to consciously monitor its execution will slow it down and increase rate of error.