Skill execution errors: an “it depends” perspective on their role, type and use when coaching for player development in sport

ABSTRACTDecades of motor learning research has challenged the role of errors; for the same reason some authors promote them, others demote them. In this discursive article, we propose that the role of errors in the sports coaching context is more complex than a binary error avoidance or promotion approach. Accordingly, we present a novel perspective, which suggests that when equipped with effective decision-making skills, coaches can use errors strategically, manipulating their frequency to align with an athlete’s performance context and achieve interdisciplinary learning outcomes. In doing so, the article discusses the considerations for error implementation and emphasises the importance of coaches' decision-making skills for implementing a nuanced error-based approach. Such ideas have the potential to positively impact the quality of applied coaching practice within the field of motor learning and player development, but more research is required to establish how this could be operationalised with practitioners in the field.KEYWORDS: Biopsychosocialchallenge point hypothesisdesirable difficultiesmotor learningpractical coachingpsychological characteristics of developing excellence Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Data availability statementThere is no data associated with this manuscript.Additional informationFundingThe authors received no funding in direct support of this work.