Guidance

• Visual guidance could be in the form of a demonstration or display helping the learner create a mental image. E.g a netball coach demonstrating a correct shot on goal.
• Verbal guidance describes the action and explains to the learner what to do and how to improve. E.g a football coach explaining the correct technique when shooting.
• Manual guidance involves a coach holding/physically manipulating the body of a learner through a correct pattern of movement. E.g a coach physically manipulating a tennis players arm.
• Mechanical guidance involves the use of equipment to support the learner and shape the skill. E.g a swimmer using a swimming float.
• Advantages of verbal guidance is it can be in the form of feedback reinforcing correct movements and identifying errors and can hold performers attention if used correctly.
• Disadvantages of verbal guidance are it can lead to information overload and if guidance given incorrectly the skill may not be developed effectively.
• Advantages of visual guidance are the performer can fins it easy to make a mental image of the skill and it encourages observational learning by drawing attention to cues.
• Disadvantages of visual guidance are if the demonstration is incorrect performer could learn bad habits and the demonstration must be accurate and repeated.
• Advantages of manual and mechanical guidance are it encourages kinaesthesis, gives the performer a greater sense of safety and can isolate important aspects of skills to practice as subroutines.
• Disadvantages of manual/mechanical guidance are it can be over restrictive to the performer feeling a lack of control and it can lead to a false sense of kinaesthesis.