Behavioral Coaching in the Development of Skills in Football, Gymnastics, and Tennis

Abstract

A review of the literature indicates that methods of skill acquisition based on the operant paradigm have been scientifically validated with many motor behaviors. However, these procedures have been limited to the use of positive reinforcement for correct performance when applied to the acquisition of complex sports skills in natural settings. To find complementary procedures to enhance skill acquisition, a coaching method involving several behavioral techniques was developed that focused on remediation of errors. This coaching method combined the following components: (1) systematic use of verbal instructions and feedback, (2) positive and negative reinforcement, (3) positive practice, and (4) time out. Three sports, football, gymnastics, and tennis, were selected to determine the effectiveness and generality of this behavioral coaching method. A total of 23 male and female subjects, ranging in age from 11 to 35, was included in this study. Baseline data were first collected for each sport under standard coaching conditions. Next, the behavioral coaching method was evaluated depending on the sport in either a multiple baseline or a reversal design. The behavioral dimensions selected were blocking in football; backward walkovers, front hand springs, and reverse kips in gymnastics; and the forehand, backhand, and serve in tennis. Behavioral coaching was immediately effective in increasing the correct execution of complex skills in all three sports. Gains of up to 10 times the baseline performance were achieved in each sport. In football, behavioral coaching resulted in an increase in correct blocking performance from a baseline average of 5 % to 51.3 %. Gymnasts' performances increased from baseline averages of 2.7% to 52.6% across the three skills. In tennis, standard coaching produced an average of 69% correct performance which increased dramatically under behavioral coaching to 579% across the three strokes.

The Effects of Form Training on Foul‐shooting Performance in Members of a Women's College Basketball Team

“…Such procedures typically involve performance-based consequences, skill training, or both. For example, remediation of errors was one component of a behavioral coaching technique that effectively enhanced skill acquisition in football, gymnastics, and tennis (Allison & Ayllon, 1980). Similarly, error correction was combined with differential consequences to decrease errors in components of swimming strokes (Koop & Martin, 1983).…”

Evaluation of a Coaching Strategy to Reduce Swimming Stroke Errors With Beginning Age‐group Swimmers

“…In previous research, Allison and Ayllon (1980) developed an error correction procedure and assessed its effectiveness relative to "standard coaching" across three sports (football, gymnastics, and tennis), various age-groups, and both sexes. When an error occurred, the coach would shout "freeze," and the athlete was expected to hold whatever position she or he might be in at that point.…”

Applied Behavior Analysis: Understanding and Changing Behavior in the Community—A Representative Review

“…Ziegler (1987) demonstrated that improved attentional skills to forehand and backhand strokes resulted in increased return accuracy of beginning tennis players, while in women's basketball, free throw shooting was improved following form training (Kladopoulos & McComas, 2001). An early review in the behavioral literature on sport reported improvements in performance on a variety of skills in football, gymnastics, and tennis when behavioral procedures were employed (Allison & Ayllon, 1980). Pedometer readings, e-counseling, and weight checks were found to increase the number of steps taken and to reduce weight in a study with overweight adults (Van Wormer, 2004).…”