Examining the influence of acute instructional approaches on the decision-making performance of experienced team field sport players |
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| Authors: | Tim Buszard Damian Farrow |
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| Institution: | 1. School of Exercise Science, Australian Catholic University , Fitzroy 3065, Australia;2. Victoria University, Institute of Sport , Exercise and Active Living, PO Box 14428, Melbourne, VIC 8001, Australia;3. Australian Institute of Sport , PO Box 176, Belconnen ACT 2617, Australia |
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| Abstract: | Abstract We examined the influence of instructions on decision-making accuracy using video simulations of game-specific scenarios in Australian football. Skilled performers (average age of 23.4 ± 4.2 years) differing in experience (range 0 to 339 Australian Football League (AFL) matches) assumed the role of the key attacker and verbally indicated their kicking decision. Participants were randomly stratified into three groups: (1) LOOSE (n = 15) – instructed to “keep the ball away from the loose defender”; (2) TTF (n = 15) – instructed to “take the first option”; and (3) NI (control) (n = 16) – given no instructions. Gaze behaviour for a subset of participants (n = 20) was recorded. In the scenarios with an even number of attacking and defensive players, the decision-making accuracy of LOOSE was greater than TTF. This difference was most evident for lesser experienced performers, highlighting that lesser experienced performers are more affected by instructional foci than experienced performers. Gaze behaviour was not affected by instructional foci, but visual search rate was greater in scenarios of greater player number and complexity. |
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| Keywords: | Australian football expertise visual search instruction perceptual-cognitive skill |
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