Step One: Performance Management

(Last Update 3/13/25)

Building toward achieving integrated performance activations, the Four Steps to Performance Authentication begins with the fundamental and most important step, Performance Management, mastery of the physical dimension. Establishing this essential foundation upon which all the subsequent steps are built. At its core, Performance Management focuses on the student's technical and mechanical aspects through structured practice and leader-directed instruction to build so-called muscle memory. In this first step to performance authentication, we utilize time-tested pedagogical methods, didactics, and externally determined procedures central to establishing the correct techniques and mechanics of physical excellence.

Mastery of the Physical

The fundamental objective of this phase is to ensure that the near-perfect physical action prerequisites for step two, Performance Development, are attended to. What this means for athletes and learners alike is involving oneself in a systematic process of repetitive drills and exercises that target essential components such as balance, posture, coordination, and precise movement execution. For example, in the sport of bowling, this would involve repetitive practice of the approach, swing, release, and follow-through. Each movement is carefully analyzed and refined, with an emphasis on consistency and the development of a well-tuned neuromuscular system.

Central to the Performance Management step is the idea that the body learns best through structured repetition. An external observer (coach or teacher) plays the role of expert to introduce clear, step-by-step instructions to create a stable platform of physical skills. Coaches are critical to this process by setting specific parameters and providing immediate feedback. Feedback is essential, from which athletes can differentiate ideal mechanics and non-compliant moves to make real-time corrections. The coaching technique of performance repetition ensures that non-random actions become highly methodical, where each repetition reinforces the correct movement patterns until they become second nature.

The discipline required during this phase is both rigorous and exacting. It involves more than simply performing movements repeatedly; it is a process of internalizing the mechanics of motion so that the body becomes the instrument of precision. Through a consistent training regimen, learners develop muscle memory, a form of learning that makes physical responses almost automatic. This automaticity is critical because it frees up mental resources for more advanced stages of performance development later on. With a strong physical foundation, the body can respond swiftly and accurately without constant conscious oversight.

Externally Determined Learning

A must-have element of Performance Management is the emphasis on externally determined curricula, a necessity while teaching novice players and students who mainly depend on structured guidance from an experienced coach/instructor-directed training regimen and outlined parameters for success. Working within the physical dimension is a focused, externally oriented approach and is essential in the early phases of learning, as it provides clear benchmarks and measurable goals. By following the set plan of industry standards, learners can objectively assess their progress and gain a sense of accomplishment as they see improvements in their mechanics. That means that external instructional feedback is highly influential in building the confidence necessary to move forward in the performance authentication process.

The perceptual control theory is the scientific basis of the principle that behavior is the control of perceptions. The self-regulation of negative feedback loops, where individuals adjust actions based on the difference between actual actions (as perceptual inputs) compared to a controlled (reference) perception (desired outcome). The process of this internal control loop is identified as a PCA: Perception (input), Comparator (error calculator), and Action (attempt to control the monitored perception and remove the deviation). As the athlete gains greater awareness during the scheduled repetitive practice sessions, their bodies learn to detect minor errors or deviations in technique and automatically adjust to correct them. This self-correcting mechanism is the definition of muscle memory and allows athletes to perform at the physical level with minimal conscious intervention.

Practical Applications

The practical applications of Performance Management usually refer to how coaches design training sessions. Typically, (1) a warm-up period to prepare the body for rigorous practice; (2)  drills focused on specific mechanical movements. For example, a bowling coach might use video analysis and slow-motion replay to help the athlete better comprehend a smooth release or the proper alignment of the shoulders and hips. Drills are repeated until the desired physical motion matches the intended (reference) perception. A coach is the lead authority during step one; the coach instructs, observes, and intervenes whenever necessary for the athlete to remain on track to achieve physical mastery.

Externally structured Performance Management provides clear performance goals as benchmarks indicating something as simple as maintaining consistent balance throughout a movement or as complex as executing a series of coordinated movements with perfect timing; we find both of these are quantifiable and make progress objectively measurable.

While considering the role of physical conditioning in the overall effectiveness, we find physical mastery is a matter of perfecting technique and building the strength, endurance, and flexibility required for consistent mechanics. Conditioning exercises are integral to a training regimen. By working on strength, cardiovascular, and flexibility, athletes prepare to withstand the rigors of repetitive practice, competitive demands, and sustainable high-level performance.

Launching Pad for the Advanced Phases

Performance Management is more than just the preliminary phase; it is the foundation upon which the subsequent  Performance Authentication steps are constructed. The discipline and precision worked on here are launching pad prerequisites for the more advanced phases of Performance Development, Performance Versatility, and Performance Optimization. As learners internalize the fundamentals of physical movement, they begin to lay the emotional and cognitive groundwork necessary for self-regulation. Physical mastery is the most important dimension. It establishes practicality, continuous improvement, and a mindset of attention to detail, which is critical for success in any discipline.

Establishing a strong physical foundation will extend benefits far beyond the immediate improvements in technique. Mastering the physical dimension of one's lifespan performance increases confidence and reduces anxiety. The mind is freed from consciously monitoring conflicting movements as the body responds automatically and reliably. Then, there are positive emotions, where the assurance gained from physical competence encourages further dedication to training. Over time, this self-reinforcing cycle of practice and improvement becomes a defining characteristic of high performance.

Applications Beyond Sports

Without a doubt, Performance Management has applications beyond sports. Not surprisingly, performance management is the mainstream coaching practice of structured, repetitive, external feedback applied to skill improvement in music, dance, HR, and academic pursuits worldwide. In each case, the initial focus is on the basics that form the foundation for working on complex skills. Yes, individuals in various fields can benefit from a disciplined approach to learning that maximizes efficiency and effectiveness.

The application of Performance Management follows a gradual transition from total reliance on external cues to a buildup of internal habits. A coach's guidance is initially indispensable; one can't operate at a high level without the teacher's observations and suggested adjustments. But most times, and it seems like an overnight phenomenon, the learner becomes more proficient; the need for external input fades, replaced by an internal sense of balance, rhythm, and coordination. This transition is the first step toward developing self-regulated performance, a core component of Performance Authentication step two, Performance Development. When the physical becomes second nature, it frees the individual to focus on more advanced aspects of performance, such as emotional resilience and strategic thinking.

People working on the Performance Management step to performance authentication aim to achieve physical mastery by learning sensible abilities and ways to perform flawlessly under varying conditions. One's physical mastery works itself out by utilizing repetitive performance practice and the well-designed training process, operating with precision, discipline, and continuous improvement. With the achievement of this mastery, athletes and learners build a resilient physical foundation that supports all future endeavors. The skills developed during this phase serve as the cornerstone of one's lifespan performance activations, ensuring that each subsequent step (emotional, mental, and causal) is firmly anchored in a reliable and efficient physical framework.

In conclusion

Performance Management represents the crucial, not to be skipped, first step to integrated performance. Mastering the physical realm can be achieved through a combination of (1) structured practice, (2) guided instruction, and (3) disciplined repetition. The focus is working up muscle memory, proper biomechanics, and overall physical fitness. This phase sets the stage for all the subsequent steps to performance authentication. External feedback and controlled practice emphasize the need for players and learners to achieve a strong and reliable foundation to support the more complex emotional, mental, and causal self-regulation processes in later stages. For athletes, educators, and anyone committed to pursuing excellence, physical mastery is the most important function for a clear and effective way to achieve a thieving lifespan performance.

See More: Step Two: Performance Development

Return To: Four Steps to Performance Authentication