Performance feedback to boost development

Four ways to use augmented feedback

Open questioning

When feeding back on a process or performance, open questioning allows the players to discuss what they felt, saw and heard, explaining what intrinsic feedback they were receiving in the moment.

Ask, for example: “When you realigned and held your depth and width before you scored, what did you notice compared to your previous attempt?”

Open questions allow players to express perceived challenges and possible solutions both pre- and post-activity and get them to reflect on their own intrinsic feedback.

Posed question

A posed question allows you to focus on specific aspects of technical and tactical performance. A good example is: "What if the opposition rushes up?".

Using question starters such as, "What if...?", "How might...?" or "Evaluate the impact of...", will allow players to think more deeply about processes and skill execution. 

Quick technical prompts

Use quick prompts in a game situation to give the players some technical and tactical reinforcement while focusing on executing skills.

It’s a good check for players. For example, if we were playing a game with an attacking focus, we might use prompts such as ’depth check’, ’hip square’ or ’hands target’. 

I will only use these prompts if I see several examples of poor execution within the game. 

Depending on the level of experience of the players, I might involve them in deciding which prompts we use and ensure they fully understand exactly what is meant by each prompt.

I try to ensure I only use two or three prompts, to avoid feedback overload.

Freeze and rewind

Blow the whistle and the players freeze. You then pose an issue, allow the players to identify solutions and then, if necessary, allow them to reposition themselves for the play to continue.

It allows the players to either illustrate potential tactical choices or fault-correct.

It is important that this feedback lasts no longer than 20 seconds so that it doesn’t affect the game’s flow and allows players to correct faults.

Again, I only use this if I see the same examples two or three times within the game.

tips on using augmented feedback

Be specific to the aim and outcomes of the session
Focus on the skills you want to improve and progress when giving feedback. Being concise will help the players focus on what aspects are essential within the session.

Feedback fatigue
Allow players time to practise and execute the technical and/or tactical skills to improve. This can be controlled by the feedback frequency, effectively choosing moments when to break from the game or practice into a huddle. If we focus on a specific performance aspect, the feedback time should be concise.

Timing
Consider which feedback technique you will use and at which point of the session. Could it be during a freeze frame as the skill is being performed or in a huddle at the end of a block of activity?

Using questions
Use questions to allow the players to consider their own feedback and promote self and peer analysis. Be careful to avoid the same player answering the questions or players just talking over each other. I tend to use a pass-on method or nomination method to ensure everyone has an opportunity for input.

Process or result?
I focus on the process of the skill execution rather than the outcome or results when coaching with the players who are developing. This will allow players ownership and an element of control, rather than to become fixated on an expected outcome that might not be met and be out of control – i.e., the environment and other players the task constraints.