This study evaluates whether embedding a Tactical Programme for Critical Thinking (TPCT) within routine academy football training improves football-specific decision-making and execution speed in under-9 male players. Participants will complete either TPCT-integrated training or standard academy training, and performance will be assessed before and after the intervention using the Stroop Task Football Test (STFT).
This controlled, parallel-group, pre-post applied study examines the effects of a Tactical Programme for Critical Thinking (TPCT) embedded within routine under-9 academy football training. The intervention is delivered on the training pitch under normal practice conditions across 12 on-pitch sessions. Both groups complete the same overall training frequency, session duration, and weekly schedule, but only the experimental group receives structured reflective questioning integrated into constrained small-sided games and free-play activities. The study focuses on football-specific cognitive-motor performance assessed with the Stroop Task Football Test (STFT), which quantifies execution time (ET), decision-making for type of action (DMA-TA), decision-making for direction of movement (DMA-DM), and a derived Total Index (TI). The hypothesis is that TPCT will improve decision speed and decision quality compared with standard repetition-based training.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
13
A socio-constructivist, game-based pedagogical intervention embedded within routine under-9 academy football training. TPCT is delivered over 12 on-pitch sessions and includes: (1) a brief opening collective dialogue (\~10 minutes) focused on the tactical principle of the day; (2) constrained small-sided games designed to amplify targeted information-action couplings; (3) brief structured reflection episodes (3-5 minutes) guided by five critical-thinking questions addressing tactical objective, helpful and hindering actions, alternatives, performance evaluation, and collective adjustment; and (4) extended free play representing approximately 50% of session time to promote transfer.
Routine academy football training delivered under normal practice conditions, matched across groups for weekly frequency, session duration, and tactical content. Sessions target offensive and defensive tactical principles through regular coaching activities. In the control condition, training emphasizes repetition-based technical drills and customary game play without structured reflective questioning.
Stroop Task Football Test Total Index (TI)
The STFT Total Index is a football-specific cognitive-motor performance measure derived from successful responses divided by execution time. Higher values indicate better integrated decision-making and execution performance.
Time frame: Baseline (before the first intervention session) and 48 to 72 hours after the participant's final intervention session (approximately 3 weeks after baseline).
Stroop Task Football Test Execution Time (ET)
Number of correct decisions regarding the required football action type during the STFT.
Time frame: Baseline (before the first intervention session) and 48 to 72 hours after the participant's final intervention session (approximately 3 weeks after baseline).
Stroop Task Football Test Decision-Making: Direction of Movement (DMA-DM)
Number of correct decisions regarding movement direction during the STFT.
Time frame: Baseline (before the first intervention session) and 48 to 72 hours after the participant's final intervention session (approximately 3 weeks after baseline).
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