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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can understand and explain the different types of guidance: visual, verbal, manual, and mechanical.

      Key learning points

      1. Guidance can be given visually, where learners observe a demonstration or video.
      2. Verbal guidance involves instructing learners through spoken words to improve their understanding.
      3. Manual guidance assists movement physically, helping learners to feel the correct action.
      4. Mechanical guidance uses objects or aids to support learners in performing a skill correctly.

      Keywords

      • Guidance - a method to convey information to a performer to aid skill learning

      • Visual guidance - showing the learner how to perform a skill through demonstrations or videos

      • Verbal guidance - explaining the skill to the learner through spoken instructions

      • Manual guidance - physically moving or supporting the learner to help them perform the skill

      • Mechanical guidance - using equipment or aids to assist the learner in performing the skill

      Common misconception

      Pupils may believe that only one type of guidance can be used at any time.

      Combinations of guidance can be very effective and are common in good coaching. For example, visual demonstrations are often combined with verbal explanations.

      Teacher tip

      Ensure students are able to discuss both the advantages/disadvantages of each type of guidance and then explain the impact on the learner. For example, verbal guidance may use too much technical language (disadvantage) which inexperienced learners may not understand (impact).

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the word to its definition

      Correct Answer:visual,relating to sight

      relating to sight

      Correct Answer:verbal,relating to the use of words

      relating to the use of words

      Correct Answer:mechanical,relating to something performed by a machine

      relating to something performed by a machine

      Correct Answer:manual,relating to something done with the hands

      relating to something done with the hands

      Q2.
      Being given a verbal instruction would mean ...

      someone showing you what to do
      someone physically moving you into position
      someone asking you what to do
      Correct answer: someone telling you what to do

      Q3.
      labour is the name for work done by human hands and not by machines.

      Correct Answer: manual

      Q4.
      When you 'visualise' something, it means you...

      imagine what it would feel like
      imagine what it would sound like
      Correct answer: imagine what would look like
      imagine what it would smell like

      Q5.
      What is the best thing your PE teacher can do in a lesson to help you to visualise what to do?

      tell you what to do
      Correct answer: show you a demonstration
      leave you to work it out yourself
      organise a drill

      Q6.
      Match the following words to the definition

      Correct Answer:feedback,information received during/after a performance about the performance

      information received during/after a performance about the performance

      Correct Answer:guidance,conveying information to learners to aid the learning of a skill

      conveying information to learners to aid the learning of a skill

      Correct Answer:goal setting,setting a target to improve or optimise performance in future

      setting a target to improve or optimise performance in future

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the type of guidance with the definition.

      Correct Answer:visual guidance,showing the learner how to perform a skill through demonstrations

      showing the learner how to perform a skill through demonstrations

      Correct Answer:verbal guidance,explaining the skill to the learner through spoken instructions

      explaining the skill to the learner through spoken instructions

      Correct Answer:manual guidance,physically moving or supporting the learner to help them

      physically moving or supporting the learner to help them

      Correct Answer:mechanical guidance,using equipment or aids to assist the learner in performing the skill

      using equipment or aids to assist the learner in performing the skill

      Q2.
      What types of guidance are particularly concerned with keeping learners safe?

      visual
      verbal
      Correct answer: manual
      Correct answer: mechanical

      Q3.
      Too much verbal guidance could lead to information ...

      Correct Answer: overload, over load

      Q4.
      Match the advantage to the type of guidance.

      Correct Answer:Visual guidance,can be shown to lots of people at the same time to save time

      can be shown to lots of people at the same time to save time

      Correct Answer:Verbal guidance,works well with experienced performers who understand the terminology

      works well with experienced performers who understand the terminology

      Correct Answer:Manual guidance,learner gets a ‘feel’ for the movement

      learner gets a ‘feel’ for the movement

      Q5.
      Which of the following is not a benefit of mechanical guidance?

      Correct answer: increases danger
      increase confidence
      improves balance

      Q6.
      A trampoline __________ is an example of mechanical guidance used to keep learners safe while learning to somersault.

      Correct Answer: harness

      To help you plan your 11 physical education lesson on: Types of guidance, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...