ABSTRACT
This chapter considers whether the ability to perceive and recognise patterns may facilitate anticipation in sport. It reviews empirical research that has attempted to uncover the specific processes and mechanisms that underpin the perceptual-cognitive skill of pattern recognition or familiarity detection. The chapter examines contemporary research that highlights the dynamic nature of perceptual-cognitive expertise in sport and identifies the specific contexts and situations in which pattern recognition is likely to be an important component of expert perception. It outlines some challenges and highlights recommendations for future research. Scientists have suggested that experts develop highly specialised knowledge structures through extended practice in the domain that enable them to identify structure and familiarity. The perception of relative motion is important for detecting familiarity and recognising patterns; however, in sporting contexts the global pattern of play at any given point in time is comprised of a number of smaller localised patterns.
