Cues A cue is a request, signal or sign given to an athlete that indicates a desired movement or action. Coaches use a variety of verbal, tactile or visual techniques to cue athletes. It is essential that cues be short, simple and easily understood. Cues should be introduced at the beginning of the training program, and used throughout each training session. At various times during the training program, athletes may be given the following cues.
Verbal cues can be used while demonstrating the activity or when an athlete is practicing the skill. They are words or phrases that emphasize movements or tell the athlete what you would like him/her to do, such as, "lift your arms" or "hold the racquet longer."
Visual cues are used when demonstrating a movement or sport skill. Visual cues should be used even if the athlete has no voluntary control over movement and needs total assistance to complete the skill. For athletes that require total assistance, two coaches or other volunteers may be needed in order to provide both visual cues and safe total assistance. Visual cues can include performing the skill along side of the athlete, or using sign language to signal the athlete.
Physical prompting or tactile cues are used to initiate movement or encourage a desired movement without the coach assisting the athlete through the total movement or sport skill. An example of physical prompting is to touch the back of the athlete's knee to encourage him/her to move the leg for walking.
