How often should feedback be provided?

• A. Feedback should be frequent but not overwhelming.
• B. Feedback should be given once a season.
• C. Feedback should replace practice.
• D. Feedback should always be negative.

Answer: (A)

Feedback should be frequent enough to guide learning and correct errors as they occur, but not so frequent that it interrupts flow or overwhelms the athlete. In motor learning, timely, specific, and actionable cues help athletes feel what to adjust and why, reinforcing correct patterns before bad habits take root. Early in mastering a skill, you’ll benefit from quick cues after each rep or short sequence, keeping the athlete focused on the key change. As performance stabilizes, you fade the frequency so the athlete can self-monitor and maintain consistency, with occasional checks to prevent drift.

This approach avoids two common pitfalls: giving feedback only once in a long time would leave errors uncorrected and slow progress, while feedback that is always negative or constant can undermine motivation and autonomy. In practice, you might offer brief, targeted feedback after each attempt, use video or self-assessment to reinforce learning, and gradually reduce coach input as the learner gains mastery.