Making Better Decisions

Decision making in sport happens in the blink of an eye during competition or in-play but can be broken down and fine-tuned. Essentially, decision making is problem solving, and when we slow it down, it looks like this:

1. Recognising there is a problem that needs to be solved

2. Analysing the problem

3. Realising what outcome needs to be achieved

4. Exploring the options to reach this outcome

5. Choosing the best option

6. Taking action

The ability to rapidly make good decisions in sport is a key skill, and as such, can be developed and enhanced. As with any skill, in order to improve, we need deliberate practice. This should happen in training and relies heavily on the training environment. The training environment should simulate in-play incidents where decisions need to be made quickly. This allows the athlete to learn to make the right decisions under pressure. Importantly, it also creates a learning environment for the athlete to make the wrong decisions, and to learn and understand why these are the wrong decisions.

Coaches play a vital role in decision making development; coaches should create an environment that encourages and promotes mistakes as a learning experience, as well as delivering feedback in a similar way. An athlete-centred coaching style is believed to be most likely to develop athlete self-awareness, by encouraging athletes to take responsibility of their behaviours and performance. By increasing self-awareness, decision making becomes more refined as athletes are more aware of which behaviours are likely to enhance their performance, and importantly, which are not. Self-awareness allows athletes to self-correct their technique and tactical play, leading to better decision making.

Performance profiling can be used as an important way of increasing self-awareness.