Types of Guidance

This lesson covers the four types of guidance as required by the Edexcel GCSE PE specification (1PE0 — Topic 3: Sports Psychology). Guidance is the information and support given to a performer to help them learn or improve a skill. Edexcel requires you to know the four types — visual, verbal, manual and mechanical — including the advantages and disadvantages of each and when they are most appropriate. This topic links closely to the types of feedback (Lesson 6) and to the comparison between beginners and experienced performers (Lesson 9).

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What Is Guidance?

Guidance is any information, instruction or support given to a performer by a coach, teacher or another external source to help them learn a new skill or improve an existing skill.

Effective guidance:

• Helps the performer understand what the skill looks like and how to perform it.
• Matches the ability level of the performer.
• Is given at the right time — before, during or after the performance, depending on the situation.
• Uses the most appropriate type for the skill, the performer and the learning environment.

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1. Visual Guidance

Definition: Visual guidance involves showing the performer what the skill looks like. The performer learns by watching.

Forms of Visual Guidance

Form	Example
Demonstration	The coach demonstrates a tennis serve in front of the group
Video	Watching a slow-motion replay of a professional performing the skill
Diagrams and images	A poster on the sports hall wall showing the phases of a basketball lay-up
Tactical boards	A coach using a whiteboard to show positioning and movement patterns
Digital technology	Using an app to analyse technique frame by frame

When to Use Visual Guidance

Suitable When...	Reason
The performer is a beginner	Beginners need to see what the skill looks like before they attempt it
The skill is new to the performer	A visual model gives the performer a clear image to work towards
The skill is complex	Seeing the whole skill helps the performer understand the sequence and timing
The environment allows it	There must be space and visibility for a demonstration, or access to video technology

Advantages

• Creates a clear mental image of the correct technique.
• Effective for visual learners who learn best by seeing.
• A demonstration can be repeated and viewed from different angles.
• Video and digital tools allow slow-motion analysis for complex skills.
• Can be used alongside other forms of guidance (e.g. verbal explanation during the demonstration).

Disadvantages

• The demonstration must be accurate — a poor demonstration creates a poor mental image and the performer may copy mistakes.
• The performer may not be able to replicate what they see, especially if the skill is beyond their current ability.
• Passive — the performer is watching, not doing. Extended demonstrations without practice can reduce engagement.
• Requires appropriate resources — video analysis needs technology; demonstrations need a competent demonstrator.
• May not help performers who are not visual learners.

Exam Tip: When discussing visual guidance, always specify the form (demonstration, video, diagram, etc.) rather than just saying "visual guidance." This shows deeper understanding.

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2. Verbal Guidance

Definition: Verbal guidance involves telling the performer what to do using spoken words, instructions, explanations or commands.

Forms of Verbal Guidance

Form	Example
Instructions	"Keep your elbow high and snap your wrist on the follow-through"
Explanations	"We keep our knees bent because it lowers the centre of gravity and improves balance"
Commands	"Drive! Push! Go!" — short, sharp cues during performance
Questioning	"Where should your weight be during the backswing?" — prompting the performer to think
Tactical information	"Their left-back is slow — attack down the right side"

When to Use Verbal Guidance

Suitable When...	Reason
The performer is experienced	Experienced performers can process complex verbal information and apply it
The skill requires tactical awareness	Verbal instructions can communicate game plans and strategies
A quick correction is needed	The coach can shout a cue word during play to prompt an adjustment
Combined with visual guidance	Verbal explanation during a demonstration enhances understanding

Advantages

• Can be given during performance — the coach can give real-time instructions without stopping play.
• Allows the coach to explain why — the performer understands the reasoning behind the technique, not just what to do.
• Flexible — verbal guidance can be adapted instantly to suit the situation.
• Can be combined with questioning to encourage the performer to think critically.
• No equipment needed — the coach simply speaks.

Disadvantages

• Can cause information overload, especially for beginners — too many verbal instructions at once can confuse the performer.
• The performer may misunderstand or forget the instructions, especially under pressure.
• Not effective for visual or kinaesthetic learners who need to see or feel the movement.
• Language barriers may prevent understanding if the coach and performer do not share the same language.
• Extended verbal instructions can be boring and reduce engagement, especially for young performers.

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3. Manual Guidance

Definition: Manual guidance involves physically moving the performer's body into the correct position or through the correct movement pattern.

How It Works

The coach uses their hands to guide the performer's limbs or body through the movement. The performer feels what the correct technique should be like.

Examples

Sport	Example of Manual Guidance
Golf	The coach stands behind the performer and guides their arms through the correct swing path
Gymnastics	The coach supports the gymnast's hips during a handstand to help them find the balance point
Tennis	The coach holds the performer's racket arm and guides it through the correct serve motion
Swimming	The coach manually positions the swimmer's arm angle during the catch phase

When to Use Manual Guidance