Augmented feedback of experienced and less experienced volleyball coaches: A preliminary investigation

The purpose of the study was to identify effective coaching communication patterns by contrasting the augmented feedback of experienced and inexperienced coaches. Nine experienced and 9 inexperienced volleyball instructors (4 men and 5 women in each group) were videotaped while coaching 11- to 14-year-old female athletes. Analysis of the videotaped behaviors revealed that, compared to the feedback of inexperienced instructors, the feedback of experienced coaches was more specific, verbal, negatively evaluative, related to previous feedback, and provided more often during performance. From an applied perspective, our findings can be used to improve coaches’ awareness - and the effectiveness - of their interactive skills.