Conceptualising decision-making and its development: a phenomenographic analysis

Abstract

A novel phenomenographic approach was used to examine how elite coaches conceptualise good decision-making and its development in football: An iterative analysis of participants' interviews revealed conceptions of decision-making ranging from simple and narrow to more sophisticated and holistic. In the narrower conceptions, coaches viewed decision-making as a collection of judgments leading to given outcomes that could be correct/incorrect. More holistic conceptions of decision-making reflected several sources of complexity arising from various contingencies within the game (e.g., team dynamics). Participants’ conceptions of good decision-makers reflected the broadening range of abilities required of players. In the most elaborate conceptions, participants conceived of players as having to predict what happens next, based on their knowledge, as well as having to collaborate with teammates when on-the-ball and off-the-ball, within an ever-changing environment. Participants highlighted their conceptions of how decision-making may be developed, emphasising the importance of: playing with others; effective communication; balancing structure and autonomy; knowledgeable inspiration from other players and coaches; and a focus on improvement rather than winning. In future, research is needed to better understand how a coach’s conceptualisation of decision-making impacts on his/her ability to create effective environments to promote skill development in players.

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