What aspect of coaching helps prevent negative learning among Marines?

Immediate error correction plays a crucial role in coaching by addressing mistakes as they occur, rather than allowing them to persist. This practice helps prevent negative learning, which can occur when Marines internalize incorrect techniques or concepts due to repeated mistakes. By providing timely feedback, coaches ensure that Marines understand the correct method or behavior before it becomes ingrained. This approach not only facilitates a clearer understanding of expectations but also reinforces positive behaviors, enabling Marines to learn effectively and efficiently.

In contrast, formal assessments, increased competition, and standardized training may have their own merits, but do not specifically address the immediate rectification of errors in a learning context. Formal assessments measure knowledge or skills after the fact, and increased competition can inadvertently create stress that detracts from the learning environment. Standardized training can provide a baseline for skills but may lack the personalized feedback that immediate error correction offers. Thus, immediate error correction stands out as the most effective strategy in preventing negative learning and fostering effective skill acquisition among Marines.