Written by In the previous blog post on perception, we looked at original theorists such as Sigmund Freud and newer theorists such as Dr. Derek Panchuk. The idea was that training perception comes down to the subconscious mind, where we need to train certain scenarios for us to recognize them in a game situation. Although this is a necessary step in the training process, we need to first be able to control our own visualizations and perceptions on court before we can cohesively work together to build it within the team.
Let’s look at some key theories in psychology that relate to how you can improve your individual perception:
- Self-Perception Theory (Daryl Bem, 1972)
This theory suggests that individuals form attitudes and beliefs by observing their own behavior and drawing conclusions, especially when internal cues are unclear. Internal cues are thoughts, feelings, or physical sensations that tell us something about our behaviour and the situation we are in.
- Self-Perception Theory (Daryl Bem, 1972)
This, in practice, may be that you, as a player, often struggle to catch the ball… You fumble it, it slips through your hands, you can’t get a reach on it… Such behaviours might lead you to think that you are simply not good at ball skills – this is called “internalization.”
Tip: Start a netball journal.
In this journal, after every performance, write down three things that align with the netball player you want to become: “I called for the centre pass,” “I kept moving into space even after a bad pass,” “I was respectful to the umpire after they made an incorrect call.”
This rewires your brain to focus on your strengths and to notice that even though you may need to do work in a certain area, you probably have strong assets that you never even thought of.
2. Self-Efficacy Theory (Albert Bandura, 1977)
Albert Bandura introduced self-efficacy as: the belief in one’s capacity to execute behaviors necessary to produce outcomes. This belief strongly predicts motivation and resilience. Self-efficacy is a person’s belief in their ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task.
The more an athlete believes in their capability, the more likely they are to succeed and persist. Players with high self-efficacy take initiative, like attempting to intercept or calling plays, even in high-stakes games.
Tip: Start small and build up the skill.
Use your voice during the game to guide your actions. For example, saying “I’ve got her” out loud before marking a player helps you commit to the task and reminds you that you’re capable. Taking action before you feel 100% confident builds belief – and each time you follow through, you prove to yourself that you can do it.
3. Visual Perception Theory (James J. Gibson, 1966)
James J. Gibson introduced the idea that we perceive the environment directly through the visual information available, without relying too much on mental assumptions. He called this “direct perception.” One key part of this is “affordances,” meaning we see objects and spaces based on the actions they allow us to take.
In netball, this means recognizing open passing lanes, defenders’ positions, and teammate movements quickly and naturally, so you can make better split-second decisions.
Tip: Practice regularly scanning the whole court before receiving the ball.
This trains your eyes and brain to pick up key visual information faster, helping you find the best option quickly during a game. It also decreases the processing that has to be done once the ball is in hand. This allows for you to only need to scan for visual changes from the information that you have already processed, leading to a calmer demeanor during the game.
4. Selective Attention Theory (Donald Broadbent, 1958)
Donald Broadbent’s selective attention theory explains how we focus on some stimuli while ignoring others.
Since a netball game is full of noise, movement, and distractions, players need to filter out irrelevant information to stay focused on what matters most, like the ball, opponents, or teammates. Good selective attention helps players react faster and avoid getting overwhelmed.
Tip: Use focused breathing and mental cues (like saying “ball”, “space” or “movement prep” quietly in your mind) during play to block out distractions and keep your attention sharp on the important parts of the game.
5. Change Blindness (Research from the 1990s, Ronald Rensink)
Change blindness refers to our brain’s tendency to miss large changes in a visual scene if they happen during a brief distraction or interruption.
In netball, this means players can sometimes fail to notice an attacker passing the ball over our heads, a defender suddenly moving into our teammate’s path, or a teammate breaking free. Awareness of this phenomenon helps players train to be more observant and anticipate changes faster.
Tip: During practice, try drills where you track multiple moving players and call out changes you notice. You can also take a second to read the type of defensive style, or patterns in the attack at any point during a game. This builds your brain’s ability to quickly detect important shifts on court, reducing surprise in games.
6. Gestalt Theory of Perception (Max Wertheimer, 1912)
Gestalt psychology focuses on how we naturally organize visual information into meaningful patterns and wholes, rather than just a bunch of disconnected parts.
On the netball court, players perceive the movement of the entire team or the flow of the game rather than isolated players or passes. This helps anticipate plays and coordinate better with teammates.
Tip: Watch game footage and practice recognizing team patterns — like how your team moves in attack or defense. Understanding the bigger picture lets you predict where the ball will go next and position yourself smartly.
Summary of Practical Tips:
Improving your personal perception in netball isn’t just about raw talent – it’s about training your mind and senses to work smarter during every moment on court. By applying key psychological insights, you can sharpen your self-awareness, build confidence, and enhance how you see and react to the game.
- Start a netball journal to focus on your strengths and reinforce positive self-perceptions (Self-Perception Theory).
- Use your voice in-game to commit to actions and build belief in your ability, even when you’re not feeling fully confident yet (Self-Efficacy Theory).
- Train your eyes to scan the court quickly so you can spot opportunities and threats faster (Visual Perception Theory).
- Practice blocking out distractions by using focused breathing and mental cues to keep your attention sharp (Selective Attention Theory).
- Build your brain’s ability to detect changes by tracking multiple players and calling out movements in practice drills (Change Blindness).
- Learn to see the whole team’s patterns by watching game footage and anticipating plays, helping you position yourself smartly (Gestalt Theory).
By consistently applying these tips, you train not just your body but also your mind – creating a powerful edge that can lift your game to the next level. Remember, perception is a skill you can develop, and with practice, you’ll find yourself reacting faster, playing smarter, and contributing more confidently to your team’s success.