Types of Guidance

This lesson covers the four types of guidance required by the OCR GCSE PE specification (J587, Section 2.2). Guidance is the information given to a learner to help them develop a skill. OCR requires you to know the four types — visual, verbal, manual, and mechanical — along with the advantages and disadvantages of each and when each is most appropriate. You must also understand how the suitability of guidance varies between beginners and experienced performers.

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What Is Guidance?

Guidance is the support and information provided to a performer to help them learn or improve a skill. Guidance can come from a coach, a teacher, a video, a piece of equipment, or the performer's own experience.

The type of guidance used should match:

• The stage of learning (beginner, intermediate, advanced).
• The complexity of the skill.
• The learning preferences of the performer.
• The resources available.

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The Four Types of Guidance

1. Visual Guidance

Definition: Guidance that the performer can see — information presented through demonstration, video, diagrams, charts, or images.

Method	Example
Demonstration	A coach showing the correct technique for a tennis serve
Video analysis	Watching slow-motion footage of a professional golfer's swing
Diagrams / posters	A wall chart showing the phases of a swimming stroke
Tactical boards	A coach drawing a set play on a whiteboard in the changing room

Advantages

Advantage	Explanation
Creates a clear mental picture	The performer can see exactly what the skill should look like
Effective for beginners	New learners benefit from seeing the whole skill demonstrated before attempting it
Highlights key points	A coach can slow down a demonstration to emphasise critical phases
Accessible	Videos and images can be reviewed repeatedly

Disadvantages

Disadvantage	Explanation
Demonstration must be accurate	If the demonstrator's technique is poor, the performer will copy the errors
May not suit all learners	Some performers learn better through feel (kinaesthetic) than through watching
Static images lack context	A diagram cannot show the timing and rhythm of a movement
Overloading	Showing too much information at once may confuse a beginner

2. Verbal Guidance

Definition: Guidance given through spoken instructions, explanations, and feedback.

Method	Example
Instructions	A coach telling a swimmer to "keep your elbow high during the pull phase"
Explanation	A teacher explaining why hip rotation is important in a discus throw
Tactical direction	A coach shouting "press high!" during a football match
Questioning	A coach asking "What did you notice about your follow-through on that shot?"

Advantages

Advantage	Explanation
Quick and immediate	The coach can give feedback in real time during practice or competition
Can be specific	Instructions can be tailored to the individual performer's needs
Good for experienced performers	Advanced performers can understand and act on detailed technical instructions
Develops understanding	Explanations help the performer understand why a technique works, not just how

Disadvantages

Disadvantage	Explanation
Language barriers	If the performer does not understand the terminology, the guidance is ineffective
Too much information	Overloading a beginner with verbal instructions can cause confusion
Cannot be reviewed	Unlike video, spoken words are not recorded and cannot be replayed (unless specifically recorded)
Less effective for beginners	New learners may not have the technical vocabulary or experience to understand complex verbal instructions

3. Manual Guidance

Definition: Guidance in which the coach physically supports or moves the performer's body to help them feel the correct movement.

Method	Example
Physical support	A gymnastics coach supporting a performer's hips during a handstand
Moving a limb	A golf coach guiding a beginner's arms through the correct swing path
Spot assistance	A coach standing behind a performer during a back somersault to catch them if they fall

Advantages

Advantage	Explanation
Builds confidence	The performer feels safe because the coach is physically supporting them, reducing fear
Gives kinaesthetic feedback	The performer feels the correct movement pattern in their muscles and joints
Reduces injury risk	Physical support prevents falls or incorrect landings during high-risk skills
Effective for beginners	New learners who are nervous or unsure benefit from physical reassurance

Disadvantages