Types of Feedback

This lesson covers the six types of feedback as required by the Edexcel GCSE PE specification (1PE0 — Topic 3: Sports Psychology). Feedback is information a performer receives about their performance, and it plays a crucial role in learning and improvement. Edexcel requires you to know intrinsic, extrinsic, positive, negative, knowledge of results and knowledge of performance — including when each is appropriate and the advantages and disadvantages of each type.

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What Is Feedback?

Feedback is information received by a performer about their performance. It can come from within the performer (internal feelings) or from an external source (a coach, a scoreboard, video analysis).

Feedback has several purposes:

• Correction — helps the performer identify and fix mistakes.
• Reinforcement — confirms what the performer is doing well, encouraging them to repeat it.
• Motivation — positive feedback boosts confidence and encourages continued effort.
• Learning — feedback is essential for skill development. Without feedback, a performer cannot know whether their technique is correct or incorrect.

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1. Intrinsic Feedback

Definition: Intrinsic feedback (also called internal feedback) is information that comes from within the performer — from their own senses and feelings during or after the performance.

How It Works

The performer uses their kinaesthetic sense (the feeling of the movement), their vision, their hearing and their proprioception (awareness of body position) to judge their own performance.

Examples

Sport	Intrinsic Feedback
Golf	The golfer feels that the swing was smooth and the contact was clean — they know it was a good shot before they see where the ball lands
Basketball	The shooter feels the ball leave their fingers at the right angle and with the right amount of backspin
Swimming	The swimmer feels their body position is streamlined and their catch is pulling efficiently through the water
Gymnastics	The gymnast feels balanced and stable during a handstand — they know their body is aligned

Advantages

• Immediate — the performer receives the information during or instantly after the movement.
• Always available — does not require a coach or external technology.
• Develops self-awareness and independence — the performer learns to evaluate their own performance.
• Experienced performers rely heavily on intrinsic feedback to make fine adjustments.

Disadvantages

• Beginners cannot use it effectively — they do not yet know what the correct movement should feel like.
• Can be inaccurate — the performer may think the movement felt correct when it was actually flawed.
• Subjective — the performer's perception may be influenced by emotions, fatigue or confidence.
• Cannot replace external analysis for complex technical improvements.

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2. Extrinsic Feedback

Definition: Extrinsic feedback (also called external feedback or augmented feedback) is information that comes from an external source — outside the performer.

Sources of Extrinsic Feedback

Source	Example
Coach or teacher	"Your follow-through was too low — aim higher next time"
Team-mates	"You were too far forward — drop back into position"
Video analysis	Reviewing slow-motion footage to identify technical flaws
Scoreboard or timer	Seeing your split times, scores or match statistics
Crowd reaction	Hearing cheers or groans after a performance
Technology	GPS data, heart rate monitors, performance tracking apps

Advantages

• Provides objective information — a coach or video analysis can identify errors the performer cannot feel.
• Essential for beginners — beginners cannot rely on intrinsic feedback because they do not know what correct technique feels like.
• Can provide detailed technical analysis using video and technology.
• A coach's expertise can guide the performer towards the correct technique more quickly than trial and error.

Disadvantages

• Not always available — the performer may not have a coach or technology.
• Can cause information overload if too much feedback is given at once.
• The performer may become dependent on extrinsic feedback and fail to develop their own ability to self-evaluate.
• Feedback may be delayed — video analysis may happen after the session, reducing its immediate impact.
• The quality depends on the knowledge of the person giving it — poor coaching leads to poor feedback.

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3. Positive Feedback

Definition: Positive feedback is information about what the performer did well — it reinforces correct technique and desirable outcomes.

Examples

Sport	Positive Feedback
Football	"Excellent first touch — you controlled the ball perfectly and set up the pass"
Athletics	"Your start was really explosive — you reacted to the gun faster than in your last race"
Netball	"Great movement — you found space really well and gave the centre a clear passing option"

When to Use Positive Feedback

Situation	Reason
Beginners	Builds confidence and motivation. Beginners need encouragement to persist
After a correct performance	Reinforces the technique so the performer repeats it
When motivation is low	Positive feedback lifts spirits and encourages continued effort
After a poor result	Highlighting what was done well despite the result maintains morale

Advantages

• Motivating — the performer feels good about their performance and wants to continue.
• Reinforces correct technique — the performer knows what to repeat.
• Builds confidence — essential for beginners and performers going through a difficult period.
• Creates a positive learning environment.

Disadvantages

• Over-use can make feedback meaningless — if everything is praised, the performer does not know what was genuinely good.
• May give a false sense of success — the performer may think they do not need to improve.
• Does not tell the performer what to change — only what was good.

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4. Negative Feedback

Definition: Negative feedback is information about what the performer did wrong or what needs to be improved.

Examples

Sport	Negative Feedback
Tennis	"Your toss was too far behind you — that's why the serve went into the net"
Cricket	"You played across the line of the ball — you need to play straighter to avoid getting bowled"
Basketball	"You didn't follow through on that free throw — that's why it fell short"

When to Use Negative Feedback