Coaches’ Self-Awareness of Timing, Nature and Intent of Verbal Instructions to Athletes Sarah-Kate Millar 1 , Anthony R.H. Oldham 1 and Mick Donovan 2 1 Auckland University of Technology, 90 Akoranga Drive, Northcote, North Shore City 0627, New Zealand E-mail: sarahkate.millar@aut.ac.nz 2 University of Worcester, Henwick Grove, Worcester, WR2 6AJ, UK ABSTRACT Coach development literature identifies the need for coaches to be self- aware regarding their impact on athletes. Here, four English rowing coaches were observed and their ability to accurately identify the type, nature and timing of verbal instructions used while coaching was examined. For one training session, every verbal instruction delivered by the coaches was coded, using an adapted version of the Feedback Analysis Profile (FAP). At the end of the session, coaches completed an in- depth questionnaire about their perceived verbal behaviour. Results showed that the coaches were inaccurate when recalling what was said to athletes. Coaches were observed giving predominantly concurrent (while athletes were rowing) and prescriptive (what to do) instructions. Results also showed minimal use of evaluative (was it any good?) or affective (how did it feel?) feedback. Coaches’ perceptions did not match recorded data, highlighting the need to develop methods which increase coach self- awareness. Key words: Coaching, Feedback, Instruction, Self-Awareness, Verbal Communication INTRODUCTION Coaches endeavour to engage in behaviours that effectively facilitate an athlete’s progress toward achieving particular goals in competitive or practice situations 1 . For performance to improve, athletes and coaches need to strive for a relationship where athlete learning is the central consideration 2-5 . Essential to athlete learning and consequent success, is the effective use of verbal instruction by coaches 6, 7 . Research carried out over the last two decades has identified instruction as the dominant act engaged in by coaches at all levels 8, 9 . Different verbal instruction properties, including International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching Volume 6 · Number 4 · 2011 503 Reviewers: Keith Davids (Queensland University of Technology, Australia) Rich Masters (University of Hong Kong, China)