Feedback

Introduction: Your Sporting "GPS"

Welcome! Today we are looking at Feedback. Think of feedback as the "GPS" of sports performance. Just like a sat-nav tells you if you’ve taken a wrong turn or if you’re on the right track, feedback tells an athlete how they are doing and how to improve. Without it, we would never know if our practice is actually making us better or just reinforcing bad habits!

In this chapter, we will break down the six main types of feedback you need to know for your OCR exam. Don't worry if it seems like a lot of terms—they usually come in pairs, which makes them much easier to remember.

1. Where is it coming from? (Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic)

The first way we categorize feedback is by its source: does it come from inside you or outside you?

Intrinsic Feedback

This is feedback from within. It is the physical feeling of the movement as you do it.
Example: A gymnast performing a handstand knows they are balanced because they can "feel" their weight centered over their hands.
This is often linked to a fancy word called kinaesthesis (the internal sense of your body's position).

Extrinsic Feedback

This comes from an outside source.
Example: A coach shouting instructions, a teammate cheering, or watching a video playback of your golf swing.

Quick Comparison:

• Intrinsic = "I felt that my foot was slightly off when I kicked the ball."
• Extrinsic = "My coach told me to keep my head down during the kick."

Quick Review: Beginners usually rely more on Extrinsic feedback because they don't yet know what a "perfect" movement feels like. Experts are great at using Intrinsic feedback.

2. Is it "Good" or "Bad"? (Positive vs. Negative)

This isn't just about being nice; it’s about what the information focuses on.

Positive Feedback

This tells the performer what was correct. It often involves praise and helps reinforce successful habits.
Why use it? It builds confidence and motivates the athlete. It is especially great for beginners (the Cognitive stage of learning).

Negative Feedback

This tells the performer what was incorrect. It focuses on errors.
Why use it? While it sounds mean, it is vital for improvement! It tells you exactly what to fix. Elite athletes often prefer this because they are already motivated and just want to be perfect.

Don't worry if this seems tricky at first: "Negative" feedback in PE isn't just a coach shouting at you; it's any information that tells you what not to do next time.

Key Takeaway: Use Positive to build confidence in beginners; use Negative to fine-tune the skills of experts.

3. Result vs. Technique (KR vs. KP)

This is a common area where students get confused, so let's look at it closely.

Knowledge of Results (KR)

This is feedback about the outcome or the end product. It is usually numerical or "yes/no."
Example: Did the ball go in the hoop? What was my 100m sprint time? Did I win the match?

Knowledge of Performance (KP)

This is feedback about the quality of the movement or the technique itself, regardless of the result.
Example: "Your elbow was tucked in during that shot" or "You had a great high-knee drive in that sprint."

Did you know? You can have "Good" KR but "Bad" KP. For example, a footballer might score a goal (Good KR) but did it with a "scuffed" kick and poor technique (Bad KP).

Memory Aid: The "R" and the "P"

• KR = Result (The score).
• KP = Performance (The process/technique).

4. Advantages and Disadvantages

To get top marks, you need to know when to use each type of feedback. Here is a simplified breakdown:

For Beginners (Cognitive Learners):

• Best types: Extrinsic, Positive, Knowledge of Results.
• Why? They need a coach to tell them what to do (Extrinsic), they need to stay motivated (Positive), and they need to know if they actually hit the target (KR).

For Experts (Autonomous Learners):

• Best types: Intrinsic, Negative, Knowledge of Performance.
• Why? They can feel their own mistakes (Intrinsic), they want to know exactly what went wrong so they can fix it (Negative), and they care about perfecting their technique (KP).

Common Mistake to Avoid: Don't say Negative feedback is "bad." For a pro athlete, Negative feedback is actually more helpful than Positive feedback because it helps them reach that 1% improvement!

Chapter Summary Checklist

Before you move on, make sure you can answer these three questions:

1. What is the difference between Intrinsic and Extrinsic feedback? (Answer: Internal feeling vs. External source).

2. Which type of learner benefits most from Positive feedback? (Answer: Beginners/Cognitive learners).

3. If a coach tells a swimmer "Your arm entry was too wide," is that KR or KP? (Answer: KP, because it describes the technique/performance).