Ever wondered how you actually get better at sports? It's... Show more
LCPE
Irish
English
BiologySign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
2
•
Updated Apr 19, 2026
•
The Power of Feedback in Learning New Skills
1 / 5
Understanding Feedback in Sports
Think about the last time you improved at something - chances are, someone told you what you were doing right or wrong. Feedback is simply information you receive about your performance, and it's absolutely crucial for getting better at any skill.
There are two main sources where this information comes from. Intrinsic feedback comes from within yourself - it's that feeling when you know you've hit the sweet spot of a tennis racket or when a football feels perfectly balanced on your boot. This is also called kinaesthetic feedback because it comes through your senses.
Extrinsic feedback comes from outside sources like coaches, teammates, video replays, or even the crowd. A GAA coach shouting "keep your head up" or watching yourself on video are perfect examples of extrinsic feedback.
Remember: The goal is to eventually rely more on your own internal feelings (intrinsic) and less on others telling you what to do (extrinsic).
Types of Feedback Information
Not all feedback tells you the same thing. Knowledge of Results (KR) is about the outcome - did you score, miss, win, or lose? It's usually pretty obvious: seeing your basketball shot go through the hoop or watching the umpire wave your tennis serve "out."
Knowledge of Performance (KP) is much more valuable for improvement. This focuses on your technique and how you performed the skill, not just the result. When a coach tells a Gaelic footballer "your follow-through was excellent on that kick," that's KP in action.
Here's the thing - just knowing you missed (KR) doesn't help you improve. You need to know why you missed, and that's where KP becomes crucial, especially for beginners who don't yet understand what correct movement should feel like.
Key Point: KP is generally more valuable than KR for skill improvement because it explains the 'why' behind your performance.
Putting Feedback into Practice
Let's imagine you're a hurler learning to take 65m frees. On your first attempt, the ball goes wide left. You can see it missed (KR), and you might feel the strike was "off" (intrinsic feedback). But the most useful information comes when your coach says, "You lifted your head too early - keep your eye on the ball through the entire swing" (extrinsic KP).
As you progress and reach the associative stage of learning, something interesting happens. You start to develop better internal awareness. When you take another shot, you feel a clean connection and smooth follow-through. Your intrinsic feedback tells you "that felt good" even before you see the ball sail over the bar.
The coach's job then becomes reinforcing what you did right: "Great! See how your body was perfectly balanced that time?" This helps you connect the feeling with the successful outcome.
Pro Tip: Timing matters - feedback works best when given immediately after the skill, so you can connect it to what you just did.
Feedback and Learning Stages
Your feedback needs change dramatically as you improve. In the cognitive stage (complete beginner), you need loads of extrinsic feedback, especially KP. You simply don't know what correct movement feels like yet, so coaches and external guidance are essential.
During the associative stage (getting better), you'll use a mix of both types. You're starting to self-correct based on how things feel, but you still benefit from external guidance for refining your technique.
By the autonomous stage (expert level), you rely mainly on intrinsic feedback for minor adjustments. You can feel exactly what went wrong the moment you complete a skill and adjust accordingly.
Remember: Don't overload beginners with information - focus on one or two key points at a time, and always be specific rather than just saying "good job."
Quick Revision Summary
Here's everything you need to remember about feedback for your exams. Feedback is information about performance that's vital for improvement, and it comes from two sources: intrinsic (from yourself) and extrinsic (from outside sources like coaches).
The information itself falls into two categories: Knowledge of Results (about the outcome) and Knowledge of Performance (about technique). Beginners need lots of extrinsic KP to learn correct technique, while experts rely on intrinsic feedback to self-correct.
The golden rules for effective feedback are simple: make it specific, give it immediately after performance, and keep it positive and constructive. Remember that your feedback needs will change as you progress through the stages of learning.
Exam Tip: Be able to give practical examples of each type of feedback using sports you know well - it shows you really understand the concepts.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
Most popular content in LCPE
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.6/5
App Store
4.7/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The Power of Feedback in Learning New Skills
Ever wondered how you actually get better at sports? It's all about feedback - the information you receive about your performance. Whether it's the feeling of a perfect strike or a coach's advice, feedback is what transforms you from a... Show more
Understanding Feedback in Sports
Think about the last time you improved at something - chances are, someone told you what you were doing right or wrong. Feedback is simply information you receive about your performance, and it's absolutely crucial for getting better at any skill.
There are two main sources where this information comes from. Intrinsic feedback comes from within yourself - it's that feeling when you know you've hit the sweet spot of a tennis racket or when a football feels perfectly balanced on your boot. This is also called kinaesthetic feedback because it comes through your senses.
Extrinsic feedback comes from outside sources like coaches, teammates, video replays, or even the crowd. A GAA coach shouting "keep your head up" or watching yourself on video are perfect examples of extrinsic feedback.
Remember: The goal is to eventually rely more on your own internal feelings (intrinsic) and less on others telling you what to do (extrinsic).
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
Types of Feedback Information
Not all feedback tells you the same thing. Knowledge of Results (KR) is about the outcome - did you score, miss, win, or lose? It's usually pretty obvious: seeing your basketball shot go through the hoop or watching the umpire wave your tennis serve "out."
Knowledge of Performance (KP) is much more valuable for improvement. This focuses on your technique and how you performed the skill, not just the result. When a coach tells a Gaelic footballer "your follow-through was excellent on that kick," that's KP in action.
Here's the thing - just knowing you missed (KR) doesn't help you improve. You need to know why you missed, and that's where KP becomes crucial, especially for beginners who don't yet understand what correct movement should feel like.
Key Point: KP is generally more valuable than KR for skill improvement because it explains the 'why' behind your performance.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
Putting Feedback into Practice
Let's imagine you're a hurler learning to take 65m frees. On your first attempt, the ball goes wide left. You can see it missed (KR), and you might feel the strike was "off" (intrinsic feedback). But the most useful information comes when your coach says, "You lifted your head too early - keep your eye on the ball through the entire swing" (extrinsic KP).
As you progress and reach the associative stage of learning, something interesting happens. You start to develop better internal awareness. When you take another shot, you feel a clean connection and smooth follow-through. Your intrinsic feedback tells you "that felt good" even before you see the ball sail over the bar.
The coach's job then becomes reinforcing what you did right: "Great! See how your body was perfectly balanced that time?" This helps you connect the feeling with the successful outcome.
Pro Tip: Timing matters - feedback works best when given immediately after the skill, so you can connect it to what you just did.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
Feedback and Learning Stages
Your feedback needs change dramatically as you improve. In the cognitive stage (complete beginner), you need loads of extrinsic feedback, especially KP. You simply don't know what correct movement feels like yet, so coaches and external guidance are essential.
During the associative stage (getting better), you'll use a mix of both types. You're starting to self-correct based on how things feel, but you still benefit from external guidance for refining your technique.
By the autonomous stage (expert level), you rely mainly on intrinsic feedback for minor adjustments. You can feel exactly what went wrong the moment you complete a skill and adjust accordingly.
Remember: Don't overload beginners with information - focus on one or two key points at a time, and always be specific rather than just saying "good job."
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
Quick Revision Summary
Here's everything you need to remember about feedback for your exams. Feedback is information about performance that's vital for improvement, and it comes from two sources: intrinsic (from yourself) and extrinsic (from outside sources like coaches).
The information itself falls into two categories: Knowledge of Results (about the outcome) and Knowledge of Performance (about technique). Beginners need lots of extrinsic KP to learn correct technique, while experts rely on intrinsic feedback to self-correct.
The golden rules for effective feedback are simple: make it specific, give it immediately after performance, and keep it positive and constructive. Remember that your feedback needs will change as you progress through the stages of learning.
Exam Tip: Be able to give practical examples of each type of feedback using sports you know well - it shows you really understand the concepts.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
0
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Mock Exam
Quiz
Flashcards
Essay
Most popular content in LCPE
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.6/5
App Store
4.7/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user