Types of guidance

• Visual guidance

  Often used when a performer is in the early stages of the learning process. Learners can see the whole action and interpret it for themselves
• Forms of visual guidance

  Demonstration, Playback of a video clip, stock images
• Advantages of the visual guidance

  -) allows performer to form a mental image of the skill

  -) highlights key parts of the skill
• Disadvantages of visual guidance

  -) can demotivate learner if the skill is highly complex so they won't be able to do it

  -) information overload

  -) demonstration needs to be accurate and clear otherwise skill can be learned incorrectly
• Practical example of visual guidance

  Swimmer watch a demonstration of perfect front crawl arms by their teacher
• Verbal guidance

  Terminology and phrases associated to certain skills can be made simple and straightforward in a clear verbal explanation
• Advantages of verbal guidance

  - Can be combined with other types of guidance

  - Helpful for experienced performers, who'll understand technical language

  - Feedback can be given during performance (immediate)

  - Useful for improving open skills
• Disadvantages of verbal guidance

  -) Can lead to information overload

  -) explanation needs to be clear and concise, otherwise it could lead to the skill not being learnt effectively

  -) May be hard to interpret the words into actions

  -) Learners may lose concentration easily
• Example of verbal guidance


  A rugby coach instructs his players to run a 'miss pass' set play. This would be useless to cognitive performers who would not understand the terminology.
• Manual guidance


  This method is used when the skills learnt are dangerous or are complex. Coaches will use a 'hands on' approach to physically manipulate the performers body to ensure safety
• Advantages of manual guidance

  -) Builds confidence

  -) eliminates danger

  -) gives early feel for whole skill
• Disadvantages of manual guidance

  -) learned can become over reliant on support and interferes with kinaesthetic awareness

  -) proximity of coach may be upsetting
• Practical example of manual guidance

  A coach physically supporting a gymnast to perform a cartwheel
• Mechanical guidance

  Involves use of equipment (aids/technology/apparatus) to help support the learner whilst practicing the skill
• Practical example of mechanical guidance

  Use of a harness in trampolining
• Advantages of mechanical guidance

  - Useful for beginners: feeling of safety when learning a skill that might normally be dangerous.

  - Helpful for teaching complex & high organisation skills.
• Disadvantages of mechanical guidance

  - Learner might be unable to perform skill without the equipment.

  - Difficult to use in large groups