Abstract
The purpose of this study was to contrast the practice history profiles of international field hockey players and developmental activities leading to the attainment of high levels of perceptual-cognitive performance. Twenty-three international hockey players were assigned to a high performing or low performing group based on coach rankings of their perceptual and decision-making skill. Participants completed a practice history questionnaire assessing the number of hours in total practice, match play, coach-led practice, individual practice and peer-led play. Results showed that high performing players accumulated greater hours in total practice, match play, and coach-led practice compared to their low performing counterparts. Match play and coach-led practice are influential factors in the development of perceptual cognitive performance. Diversification of sporting activities during participant’s development years did not have a negative consequence on the acquisition of hockey-specific perceptual-cognitive skills.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 636-642 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching |
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| Early online date | 24 May 2017 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Oct 2018 |
Keywords
- Deliberate play
- specialization
- diversification
- decision making
- practice history