The video below shows a coach trying to explain what she wants her gymnast to do. This is a very good coach, doing all the things that good coaches do. She shows, she models, she explains, she’s kind, she’s patient, but still the gymnast does not understand.

When we asked the coach what it is that she actually wants the athlete to do, she doesn’t really know exactly herself. After some thought she chooses the most important thing she wants the gymnast to do, which is to have her pinkies touch the ground first as she rolls backwards. The coach comes up with a creative way to get the results she wants without frustration for herself or the gymnast.

Notice how much easier it is for both of them when the instruction is pared down to one tag point and delivered using Tag Phrasing.