Coaching Foundations Pt. 5: Identifying the Right Feedback

Nov 20

Assuming more is better—narrating every rep, micromanaging every detail, filling every moment with instruction—is a common trap. The intention is good, but constant coaching disrupts flow instead of building it.

Understand the Movement First

Meaningful feedback requires knowing how a movement truly works—not just the visible mechanics, but the deeper structure of connection, alignment, and timing.

In live scenarios, multiple errors often appear at once. A student might lose posture, misplace a frame, shift their hips too little, and misread pressure—all within seconds. But those errors are not equally important.

Cause vs. Symptom

Mistakes have layers. If five things go wrong, four are usually symptoms, not causes. A failed guard retention may start with a low knee shield, but why was the knee low?

Understanding the deeper structure helps you separate the root cause from the noise.

How Much Feedback?

Feedback on every rep is rarely useful. Input on roughly one in every three reps—especially externally focused cues—improves performance and retention.

Practical Application: Less is more.

With beginners or anyone learning a new movement, offer a bit more guidance—but keep cues external whenever possible.

Choosing the Right Type of Feedback

Prescriptive Feedback (Beginners & Intermediates)

Keep corrections positive and direct attention toward the desired action, not the mistake.

Example: “Keep your elbow glued to your ribs.”

Descriptive Feedback (Advanced)

State what happened and let them solve it.

Example: “Your frame dropped.”

Precision beats volume. Keep feedback clear, simple, and actionable.

Remember What Matters: Transfer

Training must create transfer—skills that hold up under pressure, not just in practice.