do gymnasts respond better to positive or critical feedback?

In one small study of Rugby players, positive feedback was best.

EXPERIMENT NO. 1: Motivation boost

EXPERIMENT 2: Supportive vs. cautionary

EXPERIMENT 3: Positive vs. negative

Globe and Mail – Angry coaches beware: Athletes respond poorly to negative feedback, studies find

related – Sweat Science – Good Coach, Bad Coach: Motivation, Hormones, and Performance

The answer is far more complex than that, of course.

For younger and less sophisticated learners, positive feedback is best.

As they gain confidence and ability, the coach can be increasingly critical. If you are teaching me how to snowboard — for one sad example — give it to me straight. I don’t need any false praise. I can take it.

I’ve seen great coaches use entirely different strategies with different athletes in the same group. Critical and demanding with one, supportive and encouraging with the next.

It’s an art, not a science.

Thanks Elisabeth.