Feedback

Definition

Reactions to a task which is used as a basis for improvement.

Two way street

In our philosophy feedback should always be a two way street. The athlete (you) provides the coach with feedback, where possible adjustments will be made and the (trainings-)plan continue.

The other way around, the coach can give feedback to you.

In all feedback, both the coach and you should always keep in mind what the goal is where the both of you are working on.

Providing feedback

- Always see feedback as a learning opportunity for both you and the coach.

- Give feedback as a part of reaching your goals. Remind yourself why you are doing it.

- Be aware that your body language and tone of voice often speaks louder than the words.

- Say what you really want to say, not what you assume the coach want to hear.

- Focus on the behaviour and not yourself or the coach.

- Prioritize, limit your feedback to the most important issues

- Use the pronoun 'I'

- Be realistic and focus on what can be changed.

- Give the feedback as short as possible after completing the task.

- Ask yourself the question if you could act on the feedback, most likely the coach can as well.

- There is more than one way of doing things, so feel free to give new ideas or a completely different point of view.

- Start with comments on what went well, followed by points needed to improve.

- Reflect on your own feedback and decide what you like to improve.

- Consider how you like the coach to follow up on your feedback.

- State the behaviour, describe how you feel about it, describe what you want to follow up or improve.

Follow Up

When both the coach and the athlete know what improvements there should be taken it is time to make a follow up. Both agree to work on their part and a new evaluation moment will be made. Until the evaluation moment is received both will give small feedback on a regular basis, so the work-in-progress can be constantly monitored and adjusted where needed.

Tools

Depending on what you use, there are various ways in which you can give feedback:
- E-mail
- Telephone
- Apps (WhatsApp, Skype, Zoom, Meet)
- In real life
- As a part of the workout in Trainingpeaks
- Digital agenda
- Paper logbook

The most important part is, that you give the feedback as close as possible to the workout for which the feedback is given. Feedback is based on the outcome of a task, so you need to know exactly what the task was.
Give the feedback as soon as possible so possible adjustments can be already made in the next workout. The sooner you can start changing the behaviour the greater the effect.