Skill execution errors: an “it depends” perspective on their role, type and use when coaching for player development in sport

ABSTRACT

Decades of motor learning research has challenged the role of errors; for the same reason some authors promote them, others demote them. In this discursive article, we propose that the role of errors in the sports coaching context is more complex than a binary error avoidance or promotion approach. Accordingly, we present a novel perspective, which suggests that when equipped with effective decision-making skills, coaches can use errors strategically, manipulating their frequency to align with an athlete’s performance context and achieve interdisciplinary learning outcomes. In doing so, the article discusses the considerations for error implementation and emphasises the importance of coaches' decision-making skills for implementing a nuanced error-based approach. Such ideas have the potential to positively impact the quality of applied coaching practice within the field of motor learning and player development, but more research is required to establish how this could be operationalised with practitioners in the field.

KEYWORDS:

• Biopsychosocial
• challenge point hypothesis
• desirable difficulties
• motor learning
• practical coaching
• psychological characteristics of developing excellence

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

There is no data associated with this manuscript.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

The authors received no funding in direct support of this work.