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Motor assessments generally produce a single motor competence score based on the general motor ability hypothesis, which states that motor competence is a one‐dimensional trait underlying a wide range of motor skills. Yet, it is unclear whether the general motor ability hypothesis holds true in middle childhood, which is marked by an increased participation in sports and other types of physical activity. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the structure of motor competence in middle childhood using a test battery with a large item set.

A cross‐sectional design was used to collect motor competence data of 2538 children aged 6‐11 years. Participants completed the Bruininks‐Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency—2nd Edition Short Form (BOT‐2 SF), which consists of 14 skill items and covers different motor domains. In accordance with the BOT‐2 SF manual, point scores were computed …