Welcome to the World of Feedback!

Ever wondered how a pro golfer knows exactly why their swing felt "off," or how a beginner swimmer knows they need to kick harder? The answer is feedback. In this chapter, we’re going to look at the different types of information performers receive and how it helps them get better. Think of feedback as the "GPS of Skill Acquisition"—it tells you where you are, where you want to go, and how to correct your course if you take a wrong turn.

1. What is Feedback?

In simple terms, feedback is the information a performer receives during or after a movement. It is essential because, without it, we would keep making the same mistakes over and over again without knowing why!

Quick Review: Feedback is the link between the performance and improvement.

2. The "Internal vs. External" Duo

The first way we categorize feedback is by where it comes from: inside you or outside you.

Intrinsic Feedback (Internal)

This is the "feeling" you get from your own body. It comes from your muscles, joints, and senses. When a basketballer shoots and knows the ball is going in the moment it leaves their fingers, that’s intrinsic feedback. This is often called proprioception (the internal sense of your body’s position).

Example: A gymnast feeling that their legs are slightly bent during a handstand.

Extrinsic Feedback (External)

This comes from an outside source. It could be a coach shouting instructions, a teammate’s clap, or watching a video of yourself later. For beginners, this is the most important type because they don’t yet have the "feel" for the skill.

Example: A coach telling a sprinter to keep their head down during the start.

Mnemonic Aid:
Intrinsic = Inside (Me)
Extrinsic = External (Expert/Environment)

Key Takeaway: Intrinsic is how it feels; Extrinsic is what you are told or see.

3. The "Positive vs. Negative" Duo

This is about the nature of the information—is it highlighting what went right or what went wrong?

Positive Feedback

This occurs when a performance was successful or a specific part of the movement was done correctly. It focuses on what to repeat. It’s great for motivation and building confidence.

Example: "Great follow-through on that tennis serve!"

Negative Feedback

Don't let the name fool you—negative feedback isn't necessarily "mean." It is information about what went wrong or why a performance was unsuccessful. It focuses on errors. While it might be discouraging for a beginner, it is vital for experts to fine-tune their skills.

Example: "You missed that tackle because your feet were too wide apart."

Common Mistake to Avoid: Don't assume negative feedback is bad! Without knowing what is wrong, you can't fix it. However, if a coach only gives negative feedback to a beginner, they might quit.

4. Knowledge of Performance (KP) vs. Knowledge of Results (KR)

This is often the part students find trickiest, but there is a simple trick to remember the difference!

Knowledge of Performance (KP)

This is about the quality of the movement or the technique itself. It doesn't care if you scored a goal; it cares how you kicked the ball. Did your leg move correctly? Was your body position right?

Example: A diver being told their toes weren't pointed during the entry.

Knowledge of Results (KR)

This is purely about the outcome or the "end product." Did the ball go in the net? What was your time on the stopwatch? What was your score from the judges?

Example: A sprinter seeing they ran 100m in 11.2 seconds.

Analogy: Imagine you are taking a math test. KR is your final grade (e.g., 80%). KP is the teacher's comments on the specific steps you took to solve the equations.

Key Takeaway: KP = Technique. KR = Outcome.

5. Pros and Cons: Which Feedback Should We Use?

Not all feedback is suitable for every athlete. It depends on their Stage of Learning (Cognitive, Associative, or Autonomous).

For Beginners (Cognitive Stage)

  • Best used: Positive and Extrinsic feedback.
  • Why? They don't have the experience to feel their own mistakes (no intrinsic feedback yet). They need KR to know if they are succeeding and Positive feedback to stay motivated.
  • Disadvantage: If they get too much Negative feedback, they might lose confidence and give up.

For Experts (Autonomous Stage)

  • Best used: Negative and Intrinsic feedback.
  • Why? They already have a "feel" for the skill (Intrinsic). They need Negative/KP feedback to correct tiny errors and reach perfection. They don't need a coach to tell them they missed (KR)—they already know!
  • Disadvantage: Relying only on Extrinsic feedback might make them "lazy" and unable to correct themselves during a high-pressure match.

Did you know? Elite athletes often prefer Negative Feedback because they are "perfectionists" and only care about fixing the 1% of their movement that is wrong!

Summary Table: Quick Review

Intrinsic: Internal "feel" (Proprioception).
Extrinsic: From coach/video/results.
Positive: Boosts motivation, says what was right.
Negative: Corrects errors, says what was wrong.
Knowledge of Performance (KP): Information about the technique.
Knowledge of Results (KR): Information about the outcome.

Don't worry if this seems like a lot of terms to juggle! Just remember: Feedback is always a pair. It's either from me or from you; it's either about the "how" or the "what"; and it's either a "well done" or a "fix this."