Exploration of the perceptual-cognitive processes that contribute to in-game decision-making of Australian football umpires. Issue 2 (4th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Larkin, Paul; Mesagno, Christopher; Berry, Jason; Spittle, Michael
• Is Part Of: International journal of sport and exercise psychology. Volume 16:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 112
• Page End: 124
• Publication Date: 2018-03-04
• Subjects: cognition -- sports officials -- decision-making process -- verbalisation -- performance; Sports -- Aspect psychologique -- Périodiques; Exercise -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Sports -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 796.019
• DOI: 10.1080/1612197X.2016.1167760
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1612-197X

Abstract

Abstract : Decision-making is fundamental to officiating in all sports. It is well established in contemporary research that decision-making skills underpin umpire expertise; however, there is little understanding of the cognitive processes that contribute to in-game decision-making. This research implemented an in-depth case study approach, using qualitative methods, to explore the in-game decision-making process of three Australian football umpires. Concurrent and retrospective verbalisation methods were used to obtain verbal reports of the cognitive processes associated with decision-making. Findings identified three salient themes related to both in-game decision-making processes (i.e. decision evaluation, player intention during game-play) and umpire performance (i.e. knowledge of game-play). These themes contributed to the development of decision-making heuristics for Australian football umpires. This study provides initial evidence of the factors that may contribute to and/or affect in-game decision-making processes; however, additional exploration is necessary to further inform training programmes aimed to develop domain-specific decision-making skills and subsequent in-game performance.