Be tact-ful with feedback you give

Feedback is one of the most powerful tools available to a coach and can be provided in a variety of ways.

However, it is also important to recognise that, while feedback is sometimes essential for learning to occur, there are other occasions where it may not be necessary.

There are also situations where your observations can accelerate skill acquisition, and others where it can hinder. 

In short, there is a lot to think about in order to provide feedback appropriately.

Fundamentally, there is no ’best way’ to do it.

Expert coaches consider a wide range of factors when deciding whether, when and how to intervene with their thoughts.

For developing coaches, evidence-based guidance on how to best provide observations to learners is provided by the TACT-FUL model – Timing, Approach, Content, Tone and Follow-Up Later – first proposed by Sergio Lara-Bercial, of iCoachKids.

The TACT-FUL model

Timing

Consider whether it is an appropriate time to give feedback.

Although you may have identified information you think the learner needs, pause before intervening and ask yourself: 

• Does the learner want feedback at this moment? If not, consider how you might develop the learner’s desire for feedback?
• Does the learner have the attention capacity to take on board feedback at this moment? Are they too focused on the activity? If not, when might be a better moment to engage them?

Approach

Are you going to use promotion-oriented or change-oriented feedback? Here are the differences between the two:

• Promotion-oriented feedback confirms and reinforces desirable behaviours.
• Change-oriented feedback indicates that current performance is inadequate and identifies the changes required to achieve the learner’s goals eventually. 

Content

Your feedback should be:

• Precise: Base comments on specific, clear and attainable objectives. Focus on the task or performance, rather than on the person. 
• Concise: Avoid excessive lecturing.
• With choice: Give athletes a choice of solutions to address the situation.