A method for determining the position of a shifting element (11), for example of a sliding sleeve in an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, with the element actuated by way an actuating element, for example comprising a shifting rod (8) and a shifting fork (10), via an operating element (1). From the actuating pressure and/or the shifting force of the operating element, deformation of the actuating element, for example the shifting rod (8) and/or the shifting fork (10), is determined which result in the position of the shifting element being determined with greater precision.