--- title: Type of Feedback Matter - Internal vs. External Foci description: BSMPG is the world's top sports medicine and performance seminar. image: https://www.bsmpg.com/hs-fs/file-14465012-jpg/images/golfswing.jpg --- [![BSMPG Logo](https://www.bsmpg.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BSMPG_June2016-theme_Images/logo.png?width=570&name=logo.png "BSMPG Logo")](https://www.bsmpg.com/) # Boston Sports Medicine and Performance Group, LLC Blog ## [Type of Feedback Matter - Internal vs. External Foci](https://www.bsmpg.com/Blog/bid/93739/Type-of-Feedback-Matter-Internal-vs-External-Foci) Posted by Boston Sports Medicine and Performance Group on Wed, Jan 9, 2013 @ 07:01 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)     ![golfswing](https://www.bsmpg.com/hs-fs/file-14465012-jpg/images/golfswing.jpg)   from Attention and Motor Skill Learning, by Gabriele Wulf “Not very many studies have dealt with the effectiveness of internal versus external foci of attention in “expert” performers.  In our study with novice and advanced volleyball players, we found that the two groups of performers benefited equally for feedback inducing an external focus rather than an internal focus in learning a volleyball serve (Wulf et al., 2002, Experiment 1).  Similarly, individuals with experience in soccer showed improved learning (lofted soccer pass) when provided with feedback that induced an external relative to an internal focus (Wulf et al., 2002, Experiment 2).  Finally in one of our golf studies (Wulf, in press, Experiment 2), we had expert golfers, with handicaps of or around 0, perform pitch shots.  Similar to what we had done in the first experiment in that study (Wulf, in press, Experiment 1; see chapter 2), we asked the golfers to focus either on the swing of the club (external focus), on the swing of their arms (internal focus), or on what they normally focused on (control condition).  All expert participants performed 20 shots under each condition.  The results showed that the experts were more accurate when they adopted an external focus compared to the two other conditions, which resulted in similar accuracy scores.  This is interesting because it shows that performance can be improved through external focus instructions not only at the beginning stages of learning, but even at a high level of expertise” pg 141-142              “Based on the findings discussed in this chapter (as well as those related to instructions discussed in chapter 2), one recommendation for applied situations seems clear: Wording feedback so that it promotes an external focus should lead to more effective performance and learning than feedback that directs attention to the coordination of the individual’s body movements. For example, attention could be directed to the motion of an implement (e.g., golf club, baseball bat, badminton racket), the spin or trajectory of a ball (e.g., table tennis ball, football, soccer ball), or the amount of force exerted against an object (e.g., pole used in pole vaulting, springboard, punching bag).  Not only novices, but even advanced performers, appear to benefit from feedback inducing an external focus” pg 104            ## Learn from the top Sports Performance and Sports Medicine Professionals at the 2013 BSMPG Summer Seminar May 17 & 18, 2013! ## Remember to book your hotel now before rooms get filled with area college graduations. [![Register for the 2013 BSMPG Summer Seminar Today](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/52884/beb34444-b400-4e02-bd60-fe61d7199983.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/52884/beb34444-b400-4e02-bd60-fe61d7199983)   Topics: [Motor Learning](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/motor-learning), [BSMPG Summer Seminar](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bsmpg-summer-seminar) ### Barefoot in Boston now available on Amazon.com “The residents who live here, according to the parable, began noticing increasing numbers of drowning people caught in the river’s swift current and so went to work inventing ever more elaborate technologies to resuscitate them. So preoccupied were these heroic villagers with rescue and treatment that they never thought to look UPSTREAM to see who was pushing the victims in.” Learn what is hurting your feet and your performance, and how to finally train your feet the way they were meant to be.[![barefoot in boston](https://www.bsmpg.com/hs-fs/file-5407262-png/images/barefoot.kindle.png)](http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=barefoot+in+boston&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Abarefoot+in+boston&ajr=8) ### Follow Me ### Subscribe to BLOG by Email ### Most Popular Posts ### Purchase Charlie Weingroff's DVD HERE! [![tequalsr2 lr](https://www.bsmpg.com/hs-fs/hub/52884/file-865742913.jpg?width=284&height=115&name=file-865742913.jpg)](http://tequalsr2.com?family=70efdf2ec9b086079795c442636b55fb) ### Browse by Tag - [achilles pain (7)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/achilles-pain) - [acute pain (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/acute-pain) - [Adam Naylor (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/adam-naylor) - [Adriaan Louw (14)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/adriaan-louw) - [Al Smith (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/al-smith) - [Alan Grodin (23)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/alan-grodin) - [Alan Stein (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/alan-stein) - [allen gruver (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/allen-gruver) - [Andrea Hudy (25)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/andrea-hudy) - [Andreo Spina (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/andreo-spina) - [Andy O'Brien (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/andy-obrien) - [ankle problems (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/ankle-problems) - [Announcements (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/announcements) - [Art Horne (132)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/art-horne) - [athletic trainer (17)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/athletic-trainer) - [athletic training (68)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/athletic-training) - [athletic training books (23)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/athletic-training-books) - [athletic training conference (209)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/athletic-training-conference) - [autonomy (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/autonomy) - [Barefoot in Boston (40)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/barefoot-in-boston) - [barefoot running (15)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/barefoot-running) - [barefoot strength training (21)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/barefoot-strength-training) - [barefoot training (18)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/barefoot-training) - [baseball conference (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/baseball-conference) - [basketball conference (153)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-conference) - [basketball performance (70)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-performance) - [Basketball Related (37)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-related) - [basketball resources (76)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-resources) - [basketball seminar (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-seminar) - [Basketball Training (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-training) - [basketball training programs (84)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-training-programs) - [basketball videos (21)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-videos) - [Ben Prentiss (14)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/ben-prentiss) - [Bill Knowles (48)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bill-knowles) - [blunder (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/blunder) - [Bobby Alejo (11)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bobby-alejo) - [Boo Schexnayder (10)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boo-schexnayder) - [boston hockey conference (119)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boston-hockey-conference) - [boston hockey summit (101)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boston-hockey-summit) - [boston marathon (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boston-marathon) - [Boston Promise (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boston-promise) - [Brandon Bovee (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/brandon-bovee) - [Breathing Disorders (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/breathing-disorders) - [Brendon Ziegler (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/brendon-ziegler) - [Brian McCormick (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/brian-mccormick) - [Brijesh Patel (11)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/brijesh-patel) - [Brook Lopez (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/brook-lopez) - [Bruce Williams (22)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bruce-williams) - [BSMPG (79)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bsmpg) - [BSMPG baseball conference (6)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bsmpg-baseball-conference) - [BSMPG Summar Seminar (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bsmpg-summar-seminar) - [BSMPG Summer Seminar (119)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bsmpg-summer-seminar) - [Cal Dietz (45)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/cal-dietz) - [Catapult (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/catapult) - [Charlie Weingroff (68)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/charlie-weingroff) - [children's hospital boston (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/childrens-hospital-boston) - [chris chase (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/chris-chase) - [Chris Joyce (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/chris-joyce) - [Chris Powers (12)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/chris-powers) - [Christopher McDougall (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/christopher-mcdougall) - [Chronic Pain (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/chronic-pain) - [Clare Frank (22)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/clare-frank) - [Cleveland Cavs (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/cleveland-cavs) - [concussion (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/concussion) - [concussion management (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/concussion-management) - [Conditioning-Agility-Speed (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/conditioning-agility-speed) - [conference video (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/conference-video) - [Core Stability Training (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/core-stability-training) - [Craig Liebenson (33)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/craig-liebenson) - [customer service (28)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/customer-service) - [Dan Boothby (17)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dan-boothby) - [Dan Gilbert (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dan-gilbert) - [Daniel Coyle (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/daniel-coyle) - [Daniel Lieberman (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/daniel-lieberman) - [Dartfish (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dartfish) - [Dave Tenney (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dave-tenney) - [deadlift Art Horne (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/deadlift-art-horne) - [Derek Hansen (6)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/derek-hansen) - [Derek Hanson (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/derek-hanson) - [Devan McConnell (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/devan-mcconnell) - [development (31)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/development) - [discipline (33)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/discipline) - [DNS (6)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dns) - [DNS course (12)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dns-course) - [Don Callahan (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/don-callahan) - [Dorsiflexion (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dorsiflexion) - [Dr. DiMuro (8)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dr-dimuro) - [Dunk Shot (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dunk-shot) - [dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dynamic-neuromuscular-stabilization) - [Eric Oetter (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/eric-oetter) - [Erik Helland (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/erik-helland) - [everything basketball (16)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/everything-basketball) - [evidence based medicine (13)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/evidence-based-medicine) - [Fascial Distortion Model (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/fascial-distortion-model) - [FAT-Tool (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/fat-tool) - [female basketball (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/female-basketball) - [female strength training (7)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/female-strength-training) - [Fenway Park (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/fenway-park) - [Fergus Connolly (23)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/fergus-connolly) - [Flexibility (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/flexibility) - [flow (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/flow) - [FMS (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/fms) - [Food Rules (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/food-rules) - [foot fracture (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/foot-fracture) - [foot pain (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/foot-pain) - [Foot Strike (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/foot-strike) - [football off-season workouts (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/football-off-season-workouts) - [functional movement screen (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/functional-movement-screen) - [Functional Performance Training (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/functional-performance-training) - [Functional Range Release (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/functional-range-release) - [George Mumford (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/george-mumford) - [Gerry Ramogida (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/gerry-ramogida) - [Good to Great (43)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/good-to-great) - [Gray Cook (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/gray-cook) - [Guest Author (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/guest-author) - [Health (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/health) - [Health & Wellness (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/health-wellness) - [Hip Hinge (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/hip-hinge) - [hockey conference (14)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/hockey-conference) - [hockey DVD (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/hockey-dvd) - [hockey videos (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/hockey-videos) - [Human Locomotion (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/human-locomotion) - [Inigo Mujika (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/inigo-mujika) - [innercity weightlifting (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/innercity-weightlifting) - [InsideTracker (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/insidetracker) - [inspiratory muscle training (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/inspiratory-muscle-training) - [integrated care (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/integrated-care) - [iowa football (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/iowa-football) - [Irene Davis (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/irene-davis) - [james anderson (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/james-anderson) - [Jay DeMayo (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jay-demayo) - [jay-z (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jay-z) - [Jeff Cubos (11)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jeff-cubos) - [jerry mcguire (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jerry-mcguire) - [Jim Snider (7)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jim-snider) - [jj barea (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jj-barea) - [Joel Jamieson (12)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/joel-jamieson) - [John Berardi (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/john-berardi) - [John DiMuro (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/john-dimuro) - [john sullivan (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/john-sullivan) - [john wooden (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/john-wooden) - [Jonas Sahratian (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jonas-sahratian) - [Jose Fernandez (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jose-fernandez) - [jose juan barea (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jose-juan-barea) - [Keiser (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/keiser) - [Keith D'Amelio (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/keith-damelio) - [Kettlebell Instruction (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/kettlebell-instruction) - [Kevin Durant (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/kevin-durant) - [Kevin Neeld (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/kevin-neeld) - [knee pain (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/knee-pain) - [Landon Evans (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/landon-evans) - [Leaders (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/leaders) - [Leaders in Performance (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/leaders-in-performance) - [Leadership (30)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/leadership) - [LeBron James (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/lebron-james) - [Leon Chaitow (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/leon-chaitow) - [Logan Schwartz (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/logan-schwartz) - [managing (11)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/managing) - [Marathon Monday (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/marathon-monday) - [Marc Bubbs (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/marc-bubbs) - [Marco Cardinale (26)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/marco-cardinale) - [Mark Cuban (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mark-cuban) - [Mark Lindsay (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mark-lindsay) - [Mark Scappaticci (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mark-scappaticci) - [Mark Toomey (6)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mark-toomey) - [Marvin Chun (13)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/marvin-chun) - [mastery (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mastery) - [Matt Jordan (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/matt-jordan) - [mental toughness (7)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mental-toughness) - [mental training (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mental-training) - [Mike Boyle (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mike-boyle) - [Mike Curtis (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mike-curtis) - [Mike Davis (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mike-davis) - [Mobility (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mobility) - [moneyball (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/moneyball) - [Mosley (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mosley) - [motivation (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/motivation) - [Motor Control (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/motor-control) - [Motor Learning (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/motor-learning) - [Movement (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/movement) - [movement impairments (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/movement-impairments) - [NBA (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/nba) - [Neil Rampe (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/neil-rampe) - [networking (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/networking) - [nike free (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/nike-free) - [Noraxon (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/noraxon) - [northeastern (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/northeastern) - [northeastern university (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/northeastern-university) - [off season training (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/off-season-training) - [orthopedic assessment (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/orthopedic-assessment) - [orthopedic risk factors (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/orthopedic-risk-factors) - [Ownership (16)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/ownership) - [Pat Riley (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/pat-riley) - [patient centered care (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/patient-centered-care) - [Patrick Ward (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/patrick-ward) - [Pavel Kolar (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/pavel-kolar) - [Pavel Tsatsouline (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/pavel-tsatsouline) - [Perform Better (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/perform-better) - [Performance Directors Meeting (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/performance-directors-meeting) - [performance testing (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/performance-testing) © 2020 Boston Sports Medicine and Performance Group, LLC