Welcome to Your Guide on Guidance and Feedback!
Ever wondered why a coach shouts instructions from the sidelines, or why you use a float in swimming lessons? This chapter is all about how we learn skills and how we know if we are doing them correctly. In Sports Psychology, we look at how the brain and the body work together to turn a "beginner" into an "expert."
Don't worry if some of these terms seem like a lot at first—we're going to break them down into simple pieces with plenty of examples!
Part 1: The Four Types of Guidance
Guidance is simply the help or information given to a performer to help them learn a skill. Think of it as the "instruction phase." There are four main ways a coach can guide you:
1. Visual Guidance (Seeing)
This is when the performer watches something. It could be a coach performing a demonstration, a video of a professional athlete, or even a diagram on a whiteboard.
Example: A PE teacher showing you exactly how to do a chest pass in netball.
Quick Tip: This is perfect for beginners because they need to see what the skill is supposed to look like before they try it.
2. Verbal Guidance (Hearing)
This is when the coach tells the performer what to do or gives them cues to remember.
Example: A coach shouting "Keep your eyes on the ball!" during a tennis match.
Quick Tip: This is better for elite performers who already know the basics and just need small reminders.
3. Manual Guidance (Physical Help)
This involves physical contact. The coach actually moves the performer’s body through the movement.
Example: A gymnastics coach holding your waist and moving you through a somersault.
4. Mechanical Guidance (Using Equipment)
This is using objects or aids to help you stay safe or get the feel of the movement.
Example: Using "stabilisers" on a bike or a "float" in swimming.
Memory Aid: V.V.M.M.
Just remember: Visual, Verbal, Manual, Mechanical.
Quick Review: Which Guidance for Whom?
• Beginners love Visual, Manual, and Mechanical. They need to see it and feel safe.
• Elite Performers prefer Verbal. They don't need to be held; they just need technical advice.
Key Takeaway: Guidance is the "input" that helps you understand how to perform a skill. Choosing the right type depends on how good the athlete already is!
Part 2: The Different Types of Feedback
Feedback is the information a performer receives after or during a performance. It tells you how you did. There are three main "pairs" of feedback you need to know:
1. Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Feedback
• Intrinsic Feedback: This comes from within. It is the "feeling" of the movement. You know you hit the ball well because it "felt right."
• Extrinsic Feedback: This comes from an outside source. This could be a coach’s comments, the score on a scoreboard, or the sound of the crowd cheering.
2. Knowledge of Results (KR) vs. Knowledge of Performance (KP)
• Knowledge of Results (KR): This is all about the outcome. Did the ball go in the net? What was your time in the 100m sprint? It is usually a fact or a number.
• Knowledge of Performance (KP): This is about the technique. Even if you missed the goal, was your foot in the right place? Did you follow through with your arm?
3. Positive vs. Negative Feedback
• Positive Feedback: Tells the performer what went well. This is great for motivation!
• Negative Feedback: Tells the performer what went wrong. In PE, we call this "constructive" because it helps you fix errors.
Did you know?
Beginners can actually get discouraged by too much negative feedback. They need plenty of positive feedback to keep their confidence high!
Key Takeaway: Feedback is the "evaluation" of your performance. It helps you bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be.
Part 3: Evaluation - What works best?
In your exam, you might be asked to justify why a certain type of guidance or feedback is better for a specific person. Here is a simple cheat sheet:
For a Beginner (Cognitive Stage):
• Guidance: Needs Visual (to see the skill) and Mechanical (to stay safe).
• Feedback: Needs Extrinsic (as they don't know what "correct" feels like yet) and Positive (to stay motivated). They also rely on Knowledge of Results (did I score?).
For an Elite Performer (Autonomous Stage):
• Guidance: Needs Verbal (short, technical instructions).
• Feedback: Can use Intrinsic (they can feel their own mistakes) and Negative (they are tough enough to hear what needs fixing). They focus on Knowledge of Performance (how can I perfect my technique?).
Common Mistake to Avoid:
Many students think Manual and Mechanical guidance are the same. Remember: Manual is a human (the coach) touching you. Mechanical is an object (a harness or float) helping you.
Encouraging Phrase:
Don't worry if this seems tricky at first! Just think about the last time you learned something new—did you watch someone else (Visual) or did someone move your arms for you (Manual)? Applying it to your own life makes it much easier to remember!
Final Summary Checklist
• Can you list the 4 types of guidance? (Visual, Verbal, Manual, Mechanical)
• Can you explain the difference between Intrinsic (inside) and Extrinsic (outside) feedback?
• Do you know why a beginner needs different help than a pro athlete?
• Remember: Knowledge of Results = The Score. Knowledge of Performance = The Technique.