Guidance in Sport (OCR GCSE Physical Education (PE)): Revision Note

Types of guidance

• When learning or developing skills, guidance is essential and it can come in various forms: 

  • Visual

  • Verbal 

  • Manual 

  • Mechanical 

• Coaches need to identify the most appropriate type of guidance chosen in any given situation as it will depend on the experience level of the performer; beginners will need different guidance to elite performers 

Visual guidance 

• This is when a performer can see the skill being performed or practised, e.g. 

  • A live demonstration  

  • A video 

  • An image or diagram  

  • Observing an event 

• Developing a mental image often lasts longer than other forms of guidance  

• Valuable at all stages of learning but especially important for beginners learning new skills as it is quick and concise and given them a mental picture they can copy 

• Can easily be combined with other forms of guidance  

• Elite performers may rely less on visual guidance as they are more familiar with complex spoken terminology 

• Elite performers may make use of visual guidance in the form of slow-motion video, or software that breaks more complex skills down into a series of still images 

   

Verbal guidance 

• Verbal guidance is spoken word, and involves a performer being told how to perform a skill by a coach or teacher 

• Can be used immediately whilst a sporting action is being performed 

• When given to beginner's verbal advice is likely to be more effective when used alongside visual guidance; this is because: 

  • Beginners may not yet have a good grasp of sport-specific language so cannot be too technical  

  • Beginners may not be able to visualise a skill performed effectively 

• Elite performers are likely to make more use of verbal guidance, and may not need it to be accompanied by visual aids as they will know what skills should look like 

Manual guidance 

• This involves a coach making physical contact with a performer by moving or supporting parts of their body when learning a skill 

• Useful for beginners to help them get a feel for a correct movement or position 

  • E.g. standing behind a golfer and physically guiding their hands through a golf swing 

•   Can reduce fear and increase safety when attempting more complex and/or dangerous skills 

  • E.g. a coach supporting with their arms when attempting a back somersault 

• If can give an unrealistic feeling to the skill and when used too often performers can become over reliant on the support 

• Physical contact requires consent and coaches should always explain to performers when, how and why they need to provide manual guidance to avoid the performer feeling uncomfortable 

Example of manual guidance diagram

Mechanical guidance 

• This is the use of an aid or piece of equipment to support or move a performer  

• It is generally used at the initial stages of learning a new skill 

  • E.g. using a float in swimming to develop leg action and body position in front crawl or when a trampolinist is helped to somersault for the first time using a harness 

• As well as offering additional support and safety, it helps the learner to gain confidence  

• Hi-tech mechanical guidance is now more commonly used at elite levels and in modern coaching for example: 

  • Automatic bowling machines in cricket or serving robots in tennis that can be programmed for consistent, precise, or varied ball placement to train reaction time and technique 

  • Variable flow current pools that hold a swimmer in place, allowing coaches to focus on, and manipulate, stroke mechanics 

  • Motorised trampoline harnesses that not only prevent falls but can be programmed to guide the gymnast through the precise rotational pathway of complex, multi-rotational, or twisting somersaults