Perceptions in Coaching: Reality vs. Interpretation
Perception isn’t just a passive intake of reality; it’s an active process of selection, decoding, and interpretation that varies between individuals and within the same person over time. Psychologists define three stages:
1. Sensory stage – Cells detect object features (like size, movement, etc.).
2. Perceptual stage – The brain automatically filters and organizes elements.
3. Cognitive stage – Unconscious interpretation based on past experience, resulting in mental or physical reactions.
These steps create “filters” that shape how we view reality. Our perception is influenced by:
- Physical traits: sensory limits, attention span.
- Genetics: instinct, self-preservation.
- Acquired factors: education, social values.
- Psychology: self-image, mood, context.
In coaching, perceptions aren’t “reality” but a mix of the real and individual interpretation. This subjectivity means coaches don’t see athletes as they are but as their mind interprets them. This distortion can lead some coaches to believe they hold the “absolute truth” in methods, claiming a universal approach fits all. With technology amplifying their views, coaches often share untested methods, drawing followers eager for results without questioning the validity of those techniques.
When someone challenges this “absolute truth,” coaches face two options: stubbornness or growth.
Stubborn coaches, driven by ego, argue endlessly to defend their views, often creating conflict.
Growth, however, comes from self-questioning, humility, and continuous learning, letting technique serve the player rather than enforcing a one-size-fits-all method.
Why Can’t a Technique Be Universal?
Because we are all unique—even identical twins move differently!
If twins like the Rogers brothers vary, it’s unrealistic to expect different individuals to move identically. Understanding this uniqueness encourages coaches to be flexible and adaptive, ensuring the technique aligns with each athlete’s needs rather than forcing uniformity.
In Summary: Coaching requires stepping beyond our biases and constantly re-evaluating our perceptions to best support each athlete’s unique journey.
Let's be certain that the technique is at the service of the athlete & not the athlete at the service of a technique!
How we can do that? We can start by observing players as they are, how they are moving naturally and find their natural skills and motricity.
From there, let's coach then using EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE:
- 1/3 of science
- 1/3 of staff expertise
- 1/3 of player feedback (emotion, performance...)
Using this approach, players will move with efficiency, not only efficacy! The difference between these 2 words is huge:
- Effective performance is related to the level of energy! The player will perform well when his level of energy will be high enough to allow the body to compensate the constraints imposed (a mechanic that doesn't consider his uniqueness). When the energy level will be low, performance will drop! A player who is playing effectively will also put his body at a higher risk of injury.
- Efficient performance is offering more consistency and best global results. The moves are more natural, in the respect of the individual coordination. It also drives to less stress on the body and a lower risk of injury.