Don’t Just Tell Them WHAT: Why Great Dance Coaches Focus on the HOW
Impact Dance Consulting Coaches’ Corner Series “Stop Telling Them ‘What‘ & Start Teaching ‘How:’ Why Pointing Out Corrections Isn’t Actually Coaching.” Updated from original post: “Coach Approach: Coaches Teach” April 29, 2024
My son came home from football practice one night beyond frustrated.
His coach kept telling him to "run." But when he ran, the coach yelled at him to "slow down." Confused, my son slowed down, only to once again to be told to "run." When he finally got his coach’s attention and admitted he didn't understand what the coach wanted, his coach simply replied, "Just figure it out."
My son was completely at a loss. He was giving 100% effort, but he genuinely did not understand the instruction.
It made me realize how many leaders fall into the same trap. So often, people in authority assume that pointing out a problem is the same thing as coaching. But the literal definition of coaching is to train, guide, and instruct.
OBSERVATION vs. INSTRUCTION: THE CRITICAL DIFFERENCE
When you tell a dancer WHAT is wrong without teaching them HOW to fix it, you aren't coaching, you’re simply making an observation.
Take this common rehearsal moment:
The Observation: "Sally Sue, jump higher. You're lower than everyone else."
Based on Sally Sue's understanding, she is jumping as high as she can. Simply telling her she’s low offers no roadmap. Instead, true coaching shifts the focus to mechanics:
The Instruction: "Sally Sue, your jumps are hitting low. Let's look at your prep together."
(Sally Sue jumps)
"Ah, I see it! You need to deepen your plié and roll through your tendu to push off the floor. Right now, a shallow bend and jumping off a flat foot are holding you back."
THE COST OF VAGUE FEEDBACK
When you give vague feedback, dancers interpret your words through their own limited experience, not your expertise. They think, "I'm already doing what you asked," try a quick fix that doesn't work, and move on.
If a dancer asks for help and is met with a dismissive "figure it out," three things happen over time:
Confusion turns into apathy: Dancers default to an attitude of "You won't help me, so I'll just keep doing what I know."
Corrections get ignored: Athletes stop applying feedback because it feels unattainable or confusing.
Frustration builds: The rehearsal room becomes tense, and coaches feel like dancers "just aren't listening."
I know studio time is limited and you have dozens of details to clean. But taking thirty seconds to teach the HOW builds a shared vocabulary. Once a dancer understands the technique behind the correction, future cues become effortless: "Sally Sue, remember to roll through that tendu!"
Coaching isn't telling dancers what needs to change, it's giving them the tools to change it. Take the time to teach the HOW, and watch your team thrive.
Turn today’s feedback into tomorrow’s breakthrough. Access more insider judge perspectives, confidence-building tools, and performance mindset resources to help you own the floor inside the Danspiration Hub at ImpactDanceConsulting.com.
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