CompletedNot Applicable

Critical Thinking Volleyball Tactics

Colombia24 participantsStarted 2025-09-01

Plain-language summary

This quasi-experimental study will examine whether a Tactical Critical Thinking Program (TPCT) can improve technical-tactical decision-making in university volleyball players compared with usual training. In many university teams, practice is dominated by repetitive technical drills and coach-centred instruction, with limited opportunities for players to analyse the game, discuss options with teammates, or reflect critically on their decisions. The study compares two groups of adult male volleyball players from a university-level programme in Colombia. The intervention group completed a 4-week Tactical Critical Thinking Program integrated into regular volleyball practice, while the comparison group continued with their usual training routines, without structured reflection or guided questioning. The TPCT uses representative game-based tasks, short planned pauses for group discussion, and questions that prompt players to identify tactical problems, generate alternative solutions, justify their choices, and adjust strategies collectively. All participants assessed before and after the 4-week period. Assessments included validated technical skill tests for serve, reception and spike, and standardised small-sided games (4 vs 4) recorded on video. Trained observers coded each action to calculate decision-making indices for the three key skills, expressing the proportion of tactically appropriate decisions during play. The primary aim was to determine whether adding structured tactical reflection and critical thinking activities to volleyball practice produces greater improvements in decision-making than usual training alone. A secondary aim was to explore whether the TPCT also enhances technical execution. Findings are expected to inform coaches and physical education professionals about how to design cognitively enriched, game-representative training for university team sports.

Who can participate

Age range18 Years

SexMALE

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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 years or older * University volleyball player enrolled in the participating programme in Medellín, Colombia * Regular participation in team training (at least two organised sessions per week before study enrolment) * Medically cleared and physically able to take part in full volleyball training and match play * Availability to attend the majority of scheduled intervention and assessment sessions over the ≈ 4-week study period * Provision of written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Current musculoskeletal injury or medical condition that limits safe participation in volleyball training or matches * Any medical contraindication to high-intensity intermittent exercise as reported by the participant or team medical staff * Planned absence that would prevent attendance at baseline or post-intervention assessments or more than 20% of training sessions * Concurrent participation in another structured intervention specifically targeting tactical decision-making or psychological skills in volleyball * Withdrawal of consent at any point before completion of post-intervention assessments

What they're measuring

Change in decision-making index during standardized game situations

Timeframe: Baseline (week 0) and immediately post-intervention (within 1 week after the last training session; total intervention period ≈ 4 weeks)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07253597

SponsorFederal University of Vicosa

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-10-15