Coaching Cues That Don't Block Learning

Definition

A coaching cue is a short verbal prompt that directs a player's attention. Cues can be internal (focus on a body part), external (focus on an effect or target), or intention-based (focus on the desired outcome).

Why it matters

Decades of motor-learning research show that external and intention cues produce better learning, less choking under pressure, and more transfer than internal cues.

Examples

• Instead of 'bend your knees', try 'load like a spring.'
• Instead of 'snap your wrist', try 'reach into the cookie jar.'
• Instead of 'square your feet', try 'shoot through the rim.'

Practical application

• Audit your most-used cues: how many are internal?
• Rewrite the top three to be external or intention-based.
• Keep cues short — under 5 words is the goal.

Common mistakes

• Long, multi-part cues that overload working memory.
• Cueing technique while the player is mid-decision.