Advanced Feedback Techniques

Characteristics of effective feedback

Feedback is the food of learning, but to be digestible it must meet certain quality characteristics: it must be objective, direct and specific.

Objective feedback focuses on the problem and uses clear examples, avoiding detours that confuse the athlete.

It is not enough to say "you need to improve"; it is necessary to say "your elbow is dropping two centimeters in the traction phase".

It must be direct, offered personally, especially if it is corrective or negative, to avoid misunderstandings that damage the relationship.

And it must be specific, fleeing from abstract generalizations ("your attitude is bad") to point out concrete facts ("yesterday you were late and today you did not bring the material"), allowing the receiver to self-eva luate his behavior without feeling attacked in his identity.

The Sandwich Technique

One of the classic structures for delivering corrections while minimizing defensive resistance is the "Sandwich Technique".

It consists of wrapping the area of improvement (the meat) between two layers of positive reinforcement (the bread).

First, you validate something the athlete is executing well to open up their listening channels ("Your foot position is very solid").

Second, technical correction is introduced objectively ("I need you to adjust your hip rotation a little faster").

And third, it closes with an affirmation of confidence in their ability to improve ("With that adjustment, your hitting power will be excellent"). This structure protects the athlete's self-esteem while correcting the error.

Feedforward: Solutions towards the future

Beyond feedback (which looks to the past), advanced coaching uses Feedforward. This tool focuses exclusively on suggestions for the future.

Instead of analyzing the autopsy of the mistake ("You missed because you didn't look at the ball"), the coach asks or suggests about the next opportunity, "What are you going to do differently on the next play to secure control?"

By orienting the mind forward, the feeling of guilt is reduced and the brain areas in charge of motor planning are activated.

The athlete stops ruminating on the failure and starts visualizing the correct execution, transforming the criticism into an immediate operational instruction.

Summary

Effective feedback must be objective, direct and specific in order to feed learning correctly. Pointing out concrete facts allows the athlete to self-eva luate his behavior without feeling attacked in his identity.

The Sandwich Technique wraps technical correction between two layers of positive reinforcement. This structure protects the athlete's self-esteem while adjusting for error, ensuring responsive listening.

Feedforward focuses exclusively on suggestions for the future, reducing feelings of guilt. By visualizing correct execution, the athlete transforms past criticism into immediate operational instruction.