As basketball coaches, we’re often tasked with much more than just organizing drills and running practices. Over time, our perspective on the game evolves. We begin to see the game through a coach’s eyes, identifying patterns, tendencies, and opportunities that we might have missed as mere spectators. For young coaches, making this shift can feel challenging. But with the right approach and guidance, developing a "coach’s eye" is a skill that can be honed and nurtured.
Here is a quote from one of the participants in our Community Coach Mentoring program talking about the “Coaches eye”
“I remember one of my early years coaching a drill—it was a full-court drill, though I can't exactly recall which one. A senior coach stood me at the center of the court and asked me a simple yet profound question: “What are you noticing?” I looked around, unsure of what I was supposed to be looking at. It wasn’t until he pointed out that every player was driving right, and no one was using their left hand, that I began to understand. This was the moment I realized the importance of looking deeper than just the surface actions of the players.”
The transition from player or spectator to Coach
For most people, basketball starts as a passion—playing the game, feeling the ball in their hands, and experiencing the thrill of competition. But as you step into the role of a coach, the lens through which you view the game shifts drastically. It’s no longer just about the action happening on the court but about the context in which it’s happening. The nuances, the tendencies, and the behaviors of players start to stand out.
As a coach, the questions you ask yourself evolve. What’s happening in this drill? How are players reacting to pressure? What decisions are they making, and why? Most importantly, you begin to notice patterns. In the example above, it was the fact that players were always going right. But the concept extends far beyond that. For example, a player might always spin to their right when driving toward the basket, or perhaps a certain player always rushes their shot under pressure. These small but telling details often become the foundation for how we coach.
The Challenges of Watching Basketball as a Coach
One of the first things new coaches often struggle with is watching a game from a coach’s perspective. When you’re used to enjoying the game as a fan, it can be difficult to separate yourself from the excitement and emotions of the game. But once you begin to see it through the eyes of a coach, you start noticing things you never would have thought to pay attention to before.
Take a game you’re watching, for example. As a spectator, you might be focused on the highlights, the fast breaks, the slam dunks, and the buzzer-beaters. But as a coach, you begin noticing the subtler aspects of the game. You see how players move without the ball, how they position themselves defensively, and how they respond to different situations. It’s like seeing the matrix behind the game—the subtle movements, the patterns, and the strategies that make up the action.
Developing the Coach's Eye
So how do you help young coaches develop the ability to "see" the game? It’s a process, and it doesn’t happen overnight. But with practice, reflection, and a focus on the right elements of the game, it’s a skill that can be learned. Here are some strategies that can help young coaches start to develop their own coach’s eye:
1. Start with Observation
Before jumping into teaching, it’s important to take the time to observe the players. If you can’t identify what’s happening on the court, it’s difficult to address it or improve it.
Encourage young coaches to spend time watching players during practice, focusing on things like:
- Do players tend to favor something?
- How do players react when pressured on defense?
- Are they using both hands equally?
- Do players make the same mistakes repeatedly?
This level of observation helps coaches see where improvement is needed and how to design their drills accordingly.
2. Focus on the Fundamentals
While it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of new drills or advanced plays, young coaches need to focus on the fundamentals first. The most successful coaches know that solid fundamentals are the foundation of everything that follows. Whether it’s dribbling with both hands, making precise passes, or positioning yourself for effective defense, these basic skills are essential.
Watching players struggle with fundamentals—like dribbling with their weak hand—can be the key to developing a drill that addresses this weakness. Once they develop comfort and confidence with the fundamentals, the rest of the game will open up for them.
3. Teach Pattern Recognition
One of the most powerful things a coach can do is help their players recognize patterns in the game. As a coach, it’s important to teach young athletes to see how their actions affect the game. This concept of pattern recognition is crucial for understanding how offenses and defenses flow.
Coaches can help players recognize patterns by asking questions during practice like:
- “What did the defense do that made it harder for you to score?”
- “How can you adjust to get a better look at the basket?”
- “What happens if you move without the ball to create space?”
By helping players understand how their actions impact the game, coaches can help them think critically and make better decisions.
4. Create Drills with Purpose
Drills should always be designed with a specific purpose in mind, and this is something young coaches need to understand. When designing drills, it’s important to think about what you want to emphasize.
The key is to keep drills purposeful and focused on developing specific skills. If you’re always working on weak areas, you’ll help your players develop more complete skill sets. In turn, you’ll start noticing the improvements you’re seeking.
5. Reflect on Your Coaching
After every practice or game, take the time to reflect on what you saw. This self-reflection is crucial for coaches to continually improve their understanding of the game. What worked well in your coaching session? What could be improved? Was there something you noticed that could have been addressed differently?
Reflection helps you internalize your observations and solidifies the "coach’s eye" you’re developing. By looking back on the moments you missed or failed to address, you can plan how to approach similar situations in the future.
6. Learn from Other Coaches
No coach works in a vacuum. Learning from other experienced coaches is one of the quickest ways to develop your own coaching style and eye. Whether through mentorship, watching other coaches in action, or discussing ideas with your peers, surrounding yourself with more experienced individuals can help you grow as a coach. Ask them about their experiences and how they developed their eye for detail. You may be surprised at what you can learn by simply observing another coach’s approach.
Developing a coach’s eye is a process. It takes time, observation, and a lot of reflection. But once you start noticing patterns, tendencies, and small details that make the game tick, you begin to see basketball in a new light. For young coaches, it’s important to start with observation, focus on fundamentals, and design purposeful drills that address weaknesses. By continuously reflecting and learning from others, young coaches can cultivate the skills they need to see the game not just as a player or a spectator, but as a coach. This ability to see the game will ultimately help them guide their players to new heights, both on and off the court.
Becoming a great coach starts with seeing things others don’t—and with the right guidance and dedication, that ability can be developed and fine-tuned over time.
