Scoping review of decision-making measurement instruments used in soccer

Researchers have developed notational analysis instruments to assess individual player decision-making in soccer games. The aim of this scoping review is to assess the instruments that have been employed to measure individual-level decision-making, seeking to outline current measurement methods. Following published PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a systematic search identified 11 eligible studies. Most were published in the last decade (n = 7) and validated for small-sided games (n = 9). Some instruments measured both action selection (AS) and execution (AE) in decision-making (n = 5), whereas others measured only AE (n = 6). Decision-making was measured either across all phases of game possession (n = 6), the offensive phase (n = 4) or combined offensive-defensive phases (n = 1). Decision outcomes were predominantly measured as successful or unsuccessful, with data converted into percentage success scores (n = 4), indices (n = 6) or total frequency (n = 1). There were 91 technical and tactical decision-making coding categories across instruments, which were collapsed into 44 categories by removing overlaps. A key limitation across instruments is the lack of underpinning theoretical or conceptual frameworks. Variation in measurement methods highlight the need for standardisation towards a single instrument.