What types of guidance and feedback can a coach use, and which suit a beginner or an expert?
The types of guidance (visual, verbal, manual and mechanical) and the types of feedback (positive and negative, intrinsic and extrinsic, knowledge of results and performance), and when each is most useful.
A focused answer to the WJEC GCSE PE topic on guidance and feedback, covering the four types of guidance (visual, verbal, manual and mechanical), the types of feedback (positive and negative, intrinsic and extrinsic, knowledge of results and knowledge of performance), and which suit a beginner or an experienced performer.
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What this dot point is asking
WJEC wants you to describe the types of guidance (visual, verbal, manual, mechanical) and the types of feedback, and explain which suit a beginner or an experienced performer.
Types of guidance
- Visual guidance: showing the performer what to do, for example a demonstration, video clip or diagram. Vital for beginners, who need a clear model to copy.
- Verbal guidance: telling the performer what to do, for example instructions or key teaching points. Best kept short for beginners; more detailed for experts who understand the terms.
- Manual guidance: physically supporting or moving the performer through the action, for example supporting a gymnast through a vault. Builds confidence and helps them feel the correct movement safely.
- Mechanical guidance: using equipment to help, for example armbands in swimming or a harness for a trampolinist. Helps a beginner perform safely before they can do the skill alone.
Types of feedback
- Positive feedback: praise for what was done well, which motivates (good for beginners).
- Negative feedback: information about what went wrong, used to correct errors (more useful for experts).
- Intrinsic feedback: from within the performer, through their own senses (how a movement felt).
- Extrinsic feedback: from an outside source, such as a coach, team-mate or video.
- Knowledge of results: feedback about the outcome (did the shot go in?).
- Knowledge of performance: feedback about the quality of the movement (was the technique correct?).
Matching guidance and feedback to the learner
- Beginners (cognitive stage) need visual guidance (a clear model), manual or mechanical guidance to feel the movement safely, positive feedback to stay motivated, and extrinsic feedback because they cannot yet judge their own movements. Keep verbal guidance short.
- Experienced performers (autonomous stage) can use detailed verbal guidance, cope with negative feedback to fine-tune technique, and rely more on intrinsic feedback because they can feel when a movement is right.
Why this matters
Guidance and feedback are how a coach moves a performer through the stages of learning, and feedback is the final stage of the information processing model. The right choice depends on how the skill is classified and on keeping the performer motivated, linking to mental preparation and motivation.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
WJEC style6 marksDescribe the four types of guidance and explain which are most suitable for a beginner.Show worked answer →
A 6-mark question: reward a description of each type and a judgement about beginners.
Visual guidance is showing the performer what to do, for example a demonstration, video or diagram. Verbal guidance is telling the performer what to do, for example instructions or key teaching points. Manual guidance is physically supporting or moving the performer through the action, for example supporting a gymnast through a vault. Mechanical guidance uses equipment to help, for example armbands in swimming or a harness for a trampolinist.
For a beginner (in the cognitive stage), visual guidance is very important because they need to see a clear model to copy, and manual or mechanical guidance helps them feel the correct movement safely and build confidence. Verbal guidance should be short and simple because beginners cannot take in too much at once. Markers reward all four types and a sensible judgement linked to beginners.
WJEC style4 marksExplain the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic feedback, and say which a beginner relies on more.Show worked answer →
A 4-mark question: two marks for the difference and two for the beginner point.
Intrinsic feedback comes from within the performer through their own senses, for example how a shot felt as they played it. Extrinsic feedback comes from an outside source, such as a coach, team-mate or video, for example a coach telling them what to correct.
A beginner relies more on extrinsic feedback because they are in the cognitive stage and cannot yet judge their own movements accurately, so they need a coach to tell and show them what to change. As they become more skilled (autonomous), they rely more on intrinsic feedback because they can feel when a movement is right. Markers reward the difference and the point that beginners need extrinsic feedback while experts use more intrinsic feedback.
Related dot points
- The stages of learning (cognitive, associative and autonomous) and the types of practice (massed, distributed, whole and part) and when each is suitable.
A focused answer to the WJEC GCSE PE topic on learning and practice, covering the three stages of learning (cognitive, associative and autonomous), the four types of practice (massed, distributed, whole and part) and how to choose a practice method to suit the skill and the learner.
- The basic information processing model (input, decision making, output and feedback) and how a performer uses it to produce and refine a skill.
A focused answer to the WJEC GCSE PE topic on information processing, covering the basic model (input, decision making, output and feedback), the role of the senses and memory, and how a performer uses the model to produce and refine a skill in a game situation.
- The classification of skills on continua (basic and complex, open and closed, and others), the difference between skill and ability, and the characteristics of a skilled performance.
A focused answer to the WJEC GCSE PE topic on skill classification, covering the continua used to classify skills (basic to complex, open to closed, and others), the difference between a skill and an ability, and the characteristics of a skilled performance.
- Mental preparation techniques and the effect of arousal on performance, and the types of motivation (intrinsic and extrinsic) and how they affect a performer.
A focused answer to the WJEC GCSE PE topic on mental preparation and motivation, covering mental preparation techniques, the effect of arousal on performance, and the types of motivation (intrinsic and extrinsic) and how each affects a performer.
Sources & how we know this
- WJEC GCSE Physical Education specification (from 2016) — WJEC (2016)