Feedback

• Coaching through visual guidance:

  When a performer can see the skill being performed or practiced.

  • Demonstration
  • Image
  • Video
  • Observation.

  Many coaches have learned to use technology to provide visual guidance. Helps learners who are in the early stages of leatning and have never experienced the skill before, and skilled performers who need to refine elements.

  There are softwares which break down complex skills into static movements which athletes can compare their own performances or to an opponent.
• Coaching through verbal guidance and feedback:

  • Coaching points
  • Feedback
  • Peer feedback
  • Questioning

  Feedback needs to be constructive to help the performer improve their skill. It needs to be specific and accurate so the performer knows what and how to improve.

  Verbal guidance can be given before, during, or after practice and performance.
• Coaching through manual guidance:

  Manual guidance is when a performer is physically guided or supported by the coach. Can also be called physical manipulation.

  • Provided during practice rathan performance.
  • Coaches should always explain when, how, why they need to provide manual guidance.
  • Performers may choose not to recieve manual guidance if they feel uncomfortable.
• Coaching through mechanical guidance:

  Mechanical guidance is when a piece of equipment or an aid is used to help a performer learn a skill. It allows the performer to develop the feeling of the full movement while offering safety and confidence.

  • Mechanical guidance is growing all the time and is in a range of sports. (bowling machines in cricket)
  • Has a major effect in improving the quality of elite sport.
• Intrinsic and extrinsic performance feedback in sport:

  • Intrinsic feedback - The physical feel of the movement as it is being performed. It is what is felt by the performer as they execute the skill or performance.
  • Extrinsic feedback - Provided by external sources, during or after performance. It can come from teachers, coaches, team-mates, and includes sight/sound.
• Feedback and knowledge:

  Feedback is based on two areas of knowledge.

  • Knowledge of results - Focuses on the end of performance, such as score, time, position. Sometimes called terminal feedback and can be thought of as the outcome of a performance.
  • Knowledge of performance - Focuses how well the athlete performd, not the end result.
• Advantages of intrinsic and extrinsic feedback:

  Intrinsic:

  • Helps performers focus on the feeling of a skill.
  • Helps performers solve problems themselves.
  • Helps performers develop skills independantly.
  • Gives performers more time to practice.

  Extrinsic:

  • Provides new or aditional guidance.
  • Helps performers identify problems.
  • Offers solutions to problems.
  • Prevents performers from reaching a dead end.
• Feedback for beginners:

  A beginner can be seen as a novice. When a performer is new to a sport, they may need more extrinsic feedback. This helps them get the basic skills. However, beginners should also have time to practice on their own to be able to grasp the skills.
• Feedback for elite level performers

  An experienced performer, who is familiar with the sport, will have acquired the basic skills and developed into an elite performer. May need more intrinsic feedback to refine and master those skills. However, experienced performers also need extrinsic feedback to overcome persistent problems and develop more complex skills.
• Positive and negative performance feedback in sport:

  • Positive feedback - Experienced when a performance achieves the intended outcome. E.g. when a rugby player passes a ball they receive positive feedback when they see that the receiver successfully catches their pass.
  • Negative feedback - Experienced when a performer does not achieve the intended outcome. When a netball player shoots and the ball bouncess of the time and misses, the performer recieves negative feedback. Encourages the shooter to adjust their technique in the future.