Cognitive processes underpinning soccer coaches’ decision-making during competition

The ability of coaches to make effective decisions that can impact positively on a team’s performance during competition is a fundamental skill in coaching, especially in fast, dynamic team sports such as soccer. Yet, there has been little research attention given to exploring the thought processes underpinning coaches’ decision-making during soccer match-play. We used a think aloud protocol analysis to explore the cognitions of skilled and less-skilled soccer coaches who were required to watch and coach a team during representative video clips of a soccer match first half. At the end of the first half of the match, coaches were also asked to verbalise their thoughts of what they would do or say to the team at half-time. We further assessed the quality of decisions made at half-time. During first-half match-play, skilled coaches verbalised more thoughts related to performance and tactical evaluations, and the planning of actions than less-skilled coaches, who mostly monitored the ongoing game actions or events. Moreover, during half-time skilled coaches made more appropriate decisions which were underpinned by more relevant planning strategies aimed at improving team performance for the second half than less-skilled participants. Findings enhance our understanding of cognitive expertise in coaches’ decision-making performance during competition.