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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).
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:
Definition: Visual guidance involves showing the performer what the skill looks like. The performer learns by watching.
| 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 |
| 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 |
Exam Tip: When discussing visual guidance, always specify the form (demonstration, video, diagram, etc.) rather than just saying "visual guidance." This shows deeper understanding.
Definition: Verbal guidance involves telling the performer what to do using spoken words, instructions, explanations or commands.
| 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" |
| 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 |
Definition: Manual guidance involves physically moving the performer's body into the correct position or through the correct movement pattern.
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.
| 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 |
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