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).
Male academy football players registered in the under-9 category.
Regular participation in academy football training.
Free from injury at baseline and able to fully participate in training and testing.
Written informed consent provided by a parent or legal guardian.
Any injury or medical condition limiting full participation at baseline.
Injury sustained during the study that prevents continued full participation.
Absence from more than 25% of intervention sessions.
Inability to complete baseline assessment.
Parallel
Tactical Programme for Critical Thinking (TPCT)
BehavioralA 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.
Matched Academy Football Training
BehavioralRoutine 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.
Stroop Task Football Test Execution Time (ET)
Number of correct decisions regarding the required football action type during the STFT.
Stroop Task Football Test Decision-Making: Direction of Movement (DMA-DM)
Number of correct decisions regarding movement direction during the STFT.
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