Teaching New Techniques

Teaching New Techniques

 

When working with a client, as they progress from the basics to more complex activities, a close eye on their technique and motor skills is extremely important in order to maximize their "gains" while avoiding injury.  There are three stages of motor skill development.  The first stage, called the Cognitive Stage, provides constant external coaching by you, the instructor.  You introduce the new technique and then provide the visual, verbal and manual cues to your client in order for them to perform the activity properly.  You may have to place your hands on your client to correclty move them or cue them on stability at this time.  Body Awareness and proprioception are touched on here, but they are not the main focus yet. 

The second stage is the Motor Stage.  During this phase, your client is performing the technique efficiently and consistently.  They know when they make a mistake and can adjust appropriately.  Body Awareness for the skill and proprioceptive feedback become the prevalent form of feedback.  This is when I begin to reduce the use of mirrors and visual/manual feedback.  I stand back and only assist to prevent injury.  This is the "practicing stage."  To move onto the next stage, your client must practice the activity frequently. 

The third stage is the Automatic Stage.  Here, your client is able to perform the activity properly, efficiently and with minimal assistance by you.  Know which stage your client is in, because giving too much feedback can be just as bad as too little feedback.