Naturalistic decision-making of football coaches

Isaiah Elstak; Paul Salmon; Scott McLean

doi:10.1177/17479541251408666

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Naturalistic decision-making of football coaches

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Naturalistic decision-making of football coaches

Isaiah Elstak, Paul Salmon and Scott McLean

International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, Vol.Advanced access

29-Dec-2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541251408666

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Abstract

Communication

emotional regulation

mental models

perception

schemata

soccer

Effective coach decision-making is important for achieving success in sport, with the decisions made by coaches during matches having a major influence on match outcome. However, to date there has been minimal research investigating the cognitive decision-making processes of coaches during dynamic match play. The current study aimed to investigate the factors that influence the decision-making process of high-level football coaches during dynamic moments in football matches. We applied the critical decision method to assess the decision-making process of 11 high-level football coaches across two football match scenarios 1.a Send off, and 2. Chasing the game. Data was thematically analysed and coded to the perceptual cycle model which is a model of decision-making whereby information available in the world activates decision-maker schemata resulting in an action in a cyclical nature. The results indicate that decision-making processes differ based upon situational constraints. In the Send off scenario, participants relied on mental models and schemata rather than information taken from the match to select a course of action. In contrast, in the Chasing the game scenario, participants tended to use information from the match to assess the situation prior to selecting a course of action. The findings have implications for coach education programs, which are discussed.

Details

Title: Naturalistic decision-making of football coaches
Authors: Isaiah Elstak (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science
Paul Salmon - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science
Scott McLean - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science
Publication details: International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, Vol.Advanced access
Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd.
DOI: 10.1177/17479541251408666
ISSN: 2048-397X
Copyright note: © The Author(s) 2025. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) which permits any use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access page (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).
Organisation Unit: Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science; School of Law and Society
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991198350302621
Output Type: Journal article

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Web Of Science research areas: Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism; Psychology, Applied