What do you see as the main difference? You may have noticed that the first example in each pair of feedback statements focuses on the past and what the athlete did wrong, whereas the second is future oriented and focuses on what the athlete needs to do to improve. Instructional feedback focuses on the future and is action oriented-it addresses what athletes need to accomplish, not what they should avoid. Rather than saying, "Don't hit the serve long," "Don't bend your back," or "Don't take your eye off the ball," effective feedback directs athletes' attention to what they need to do to succeed: "Swing through the ball "Back straight or "Arms up and high Focusing athletes' attention on what they should avoid can actually program them to do the very thing you are trying to prevent. To illustrate: Whatever you do right now, do not think of a pink elephant. Just block out any thought of a pink elephant. How successful were you? You probably immediately thought of a pink elephant. Be sure to give feedback that encourages athletes to focus on what you want them to do, not on what you want them to avoid a And remember to provide visual demonstrations to illustrate your positive verbal instruction.