How to Truly See Movement: A Smarter Way to Coach

Most people think coaching is about giving instructions, correcting mistakes, or teaching athletes how to perform the “right” way. But great coaching doesn’t start with talking, it starts with watching. Really watching. Because when it comes to movement, what’s happening on the surface is often just one small part of a much bigger story.

Learning how to observe movement with clarity and depth is one of the most important skills any coach, therapist, or trainer can develop. It’s about more than spotting errors, it’s about understanding the reasons behind what you see.

Observation Before Intervention

Before stepping in to correct an athlete’s movement, the smartest approach is to pause and observe. Observation isn’t just looking. It’s focused attention. It’s asking deeper questions like:

“Is this a one-time issue or a pattern?”
“What might this movement be telling me about stress, fatigue, or injury?”
“How does this compare to what I’ve seen before?”

Rushing in with corrections often misses the bigger picture. Athletes may be solving complex physical problems in the best way they know how. A good coach takes time to understand those solutions before deciding if and how to intervene.

Movement Always Has Context

Movement doesn’t happen in isolation. An athlete’s performance is affected by countless factors—mental stress, lack of sleep, soreness, past injuries, the surface they’re training on, even the environment around them.

For example, a runner might suddenly shorten their stride. A surface-level view might call that a mistake. But a more thoughtful approach asks:

Is this athlete fatigued?
Are they avoiding discomfort?
Are they adapting to a slippery surface?

Without context, it’s easy to misread what’s happening. Coaches who understand the bigger picture avoid giving surface-level advice. Instead, they look for clues, patterns, and deeper causes behind the movement they see.

Not All “Mistakes” Are Actually Mistakes

One of the most misunderstood parts of coaching is the difference between a technical error and a compensation. What looks like poor form might actually be the body protecting itself.

Let’s say an athlete shifts weight to one side when landing from a jump. At first glance, it might seem unbalanced or incorrect. But in reality, the athlete may be unconsciously protecting a sore knee or tight hip. These types of compensations are intelligent adaptations—not flaws.

Great movement coaches don’t just spot what’s “off.” They ask why it’s happening, and whether it’s a short-term adjustment or a deeper issue that needs attention.

The Power of Collaboration

Coaching doesn’t have to happen in isolation either. In fact, some of the best results come when multiple professionals work together—coaches, physical therapists, strength coaches, and athletes themselves.

Each person brings a different perspective. A coach might notice a movement habit. A therapist might connect it to joint restriction. A strength coach might spot a pattern related to load or fatigue. And the athlete can often explain how it feels in their own body.

By working together instead of in silos, these insights can create a complete picture—one that leads to better support, smarter decisions, and more personalized plans.

There’s No One “Perfect” Technique

Chasing perfect form is common in coaching, but it can also be limiting. Human bodies are different. Bone lengths, joint angles, strength levels, injury history—no two athletes are built or move exactly the same.

What works beautifully for one person might cause pain or underperformance in another.

Rather than aiming for a single, ideal technique, a better approach is to look for what’s efficient, safe, and repeatable for the individual in front of you. The goal is to find the most effective movement for them, not to force them into a one-size-fits-all model.

Developing a Coach’s Eye

This entire way of thinking leads to what many call the “Coach’s Eye.” It’s the skill of seeing movement with depth, nuance, and insight. It’s built over time—through repetition, curiosity, study, and honest reflection.

It starts with noticing the obvious: stride length, alignment, posture. But with time, the coach’s eye begins to catch subtle things: slight hesitations, uneven rhythm, guarded joints, shifts in breathing, or tension in unusual places.

These signs often tell the real story. They’re signals that something deeper might be going on—something that won’t be fixed with a generic cue or quick correction.

Curiosity Over Control

The mindset behind this approach is not about controlling the athlete, but being deeply curious about what’s happening in their body. Instead of giving orders, the focus shifts to asking better questions.

What’s changing in their movement today?
What’s different from last week?
Why is the body choosing this pattern right now?

This shift in thinking helps athletes feel more supported and understood. It also helps coaches guide progress without causing confusion, frustration, or unintended harm.

Better Movement Means Better Performance

At its core, learning to see movement clearly isn’t just about fixing problems. It’s about unlocking performance. When an athlete’s body moves freely, efficiently, and with confidence, everything improves, speed, strength, resilience, and long-term health.

The path to those results starts with better observation, deeper thinking, and a willingness to slow down and really watch. Movement has meaning. Coaches who learn how to read it, not just react to it, set themselves and their athletes up for lasting success.

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