When you're on court with a group, it's tempting to lock in on one player or one side. But if you want to be an effective coach, you need to widen your lens. Seeing the whole court helps you notice patterns, compare performances, and guide the group more effectively.
Why Watching the Whole Court Works
Good coaching decisions come from good information—and that starts with observing the full picture.
Here’s what happens when you step back and take it all in:
More Insight – You catch group trends, like who’s consistently out of position or how the tempo of play is affecting decisions.
Fairer Feedback – Every player gets your attention, not just the ones nearest you or making the most noise.
Better Lesson Flow – You’re more equipped to adapt the activity or provide group-wide cues when you know what’s happening across the board.
How to Watch Effectively
You don’t need to hover or micromanage. Just position yourself with purpose.
Move Around
Stand where you can see multiple courts or players. Avoid watching from the same angle all the time—different spots show different things.
Zoom In, Zoom Out
Sometimes focus on one player or pair, but then zoom out and observe the flow of the whole group. What’s the pace? Are players staying engaged? Who needs a cue?
Watch Before You Coach
Before jumping in with corrections, take a moment to observe what’s really going on. Often the issue isn’t where the mistake happened—but what led to it.
Final Thoughts
The best coaches don’t just see errors—they see context. When you watch the whole court, you notice more, coach more fairly, and make better decisions for your players.
Next time you're coaching, take a step back. Widen your view—and sharpen your coaching.