Improving on-field decision making using video-based training – A pilot study with young volleyball players

Abstract

Decision making is a crucial skill in several sports, which researchers and practitioners have for a long time sought to improve. Recent studies have focused on the potential of video-based training, but most examined adult athletes and did not typically measure transfer to on-field performance. Therefore, we investigated the effect of a 4-week video-based training on youth volleyball players’ on-field decision making. Twenty female volleyball players between 13 and 15 years old were initially assigned to either an experimental or control group, of whom 16 (eight per group) completed the entire study. Decision making skill was assessed on a video-based task, as well as an on-field task. The results of our pilot study demonstrated that only the experimental group significantly improved their decision making skills on both the video-based assessment and on-field test (motor decision) between baseline and retention. This pilot study indicates that video-based training can be an effective way to improve young players’ on-field decision making skills, although improvements in motor execution may require intermittent physical practice.