This week, I had the opportunity to watch over twenty qualification training videos. As an NGB coach education tutor, one of my roles is to review videos submitted by coaches as part of their core training. I’ve done this many times before, but this time something really struck me—how little emphasis is placed on perception in tennis coaching.

Every single video followed the same predictable script: the coach was quick to spot technical flaws in their players. “You weren’t quick enough to the ball,” or “You’re standing too far away,” or “You should’ve gone cross-court,” or even “You’re hitting the ball too hard.” All valid observations, but not once did I hear a coach pause and ask their player: What did you see? Why did you get into that position? Why did you choose to go down the line?

In tennis, we often forget a critical fact: there’s a complex system holding the racket on the other side of the net—a human being. And humans don’t make decisions in a vacuum. Our movements, decisions, and emotions are all shaped by the environment we’re in. That complex system, the player, is incredibly sensitive to what’s happening around them: how they see the world, what they hear, and how they feel. Everything surrounding the player—every tiny detail—shapes their choices and decisions.

The Complexity of Human Perception

Here’s something we need to remember as coaches: every player sees the game differently. They don’t see the same shot we see, and they don’t interpret the same situation the same way. Yet, as coaches, we tend to assume we have all the right answers when it comes to tactics and technique. We see the player make a mistake, and we’re quick to correct them based on what we perceive as the issue.

But here’s the thing: the human organism is incredibly intelligent. It seeks to be efficient and effective in its environment, constantly self-organizing in response to the information it receives. The player’s body, mind, and senses are working together to interpret what’s happening in the game. They’re taking in visual, auditory, and emotional information, and using it to guide their movements and decisions.

So, if a player hits the ball down the line instead of cross-court, it’s not because they lack the technical ability or tactical awareness. It’s because, in that moment, their perception led them to believe that going down the line was the right decision. Maybe they saw an opening we didn’t. Maybe they felt pressured by their opponent’s court position. Maybe their emotional state clouded their judgment. Whatever the reason, it’s their perception that shaped the decision—not a lack of skill.

Why Don’t We Focus More on Perception?

This brings me to my main point: as coaches, why aren’t we teaching players to become more aware of their environment and its impact on them? Why aren’t we guiding them to recognize the information that can help them make better decisions?

Instead of focusing solely on technical flaws, we should be encouraging players to ask themselves: What did I see in that moment? What did I hear? What was I feeling? By raising their awareness of the information they’re receiving, we can help them become more adaptive, intuitive players.

For example, how often do we, as coaches, acknowledge the emotional state of our players and its effect on their perception? When a player is nervous, they see the world differently compared to when they’re calm and relaxed. Nerves might make the court look smaller, the ball seem faster, and the opponent seem more intimidating. On the other hand, a calm, confident player might see opportunities to attack that others would miss. Emotions play a massive role in how we perceive the game, yet it’s something that’s rarely addressed in lessons.

Tennis is a Game of Perspective

Tennis is, ultimately, a game of perspective. Every player’s experience on the court is different because we all interpret the environment differently. And as coaches, sometimes we’re too quick to impose our perspective, without giving players the chance to understand and learn from theirs.

Rather than just telling players what to do, we should be helping them discover why they made a particular choice and how their environment influenced that decision. We need to guide them in becoming more attuned to the world around them—the angles, the speed of the ball, their opponent’s movements, and yes, even their own emotional state.

Because when players understand their own perception, they’re not just playing tennis—they’re learning to adapt, adjust, and thrive in the ever-changing dynamics of the game.

So next time, instead of rushing to correct a player’s mistake, take a step back and ask them: What did you see? You might be surprised by their answer, and they’ll learn more about themselves in the process.

PS Did you see a Duck or a Rabbit in the blog picture at the top?