DECISION MAKING - PERCEPTION

(Courtesy of Success In Soccer)

Decision Making Perception

Perception is the act of apprehending or understanding by means of the senses or of the mind (cognition).

Perceptual Speed

Rapid perception is essential for rapid action. Players must Think Fast to Act Fast. Players who
have rapid perception or awareness and understanding of specific situations in the game of
soccer have more time to act and can usually act faster because of this awareness or perception.
General perception may be okay if you are merely a spectator. However, players must stay
focused so that they can not only perceive what is happening but also act accordingly by making
the right decision based on this awareness. To see is one thing but to see and act accordingly is
another and highly desired in all athletes.

The Effects of Perception on Decision making in Soccer:

A soccer players ability to make good decisions is based on his or her ability to:

Absorb or take in information from the flow of the game.

Process this information quickly.
Act upon this information in a positive manner technically and tactically.

THEREFORE, a players perception of the game situation as it unfolds is critical to making

successful decisions. Players can only make decisions based on the information they perceive and
process.

Decision Making Problems in Soccer

Decision making problems in soccer may be either technical or tactical:

Technical: What type of pass to do I make? Long, short, low or lofted, swerved or straight, etc.?

Tactical: A defender facing several attackers will have to decide when to act and how. Do I
pressure the player with the ball or drop to cover passing options? If I pressure now will
it be too soon? If I wait, will it be too late.

The constantly changing nature of the game presents a constant challenge to players. While processing
information from one situation a player can quickly be faced with a new situation as the game evolves (a
second attacker joins the attack, a second defender makes a recovery run etc.) The game is constantly
changing and requires information to be processed at the same rate or faster than the situation to ensure
correct decisions are made.

Courtesy of Success in Soccer .

1
Improving Player Perception & Decision Making

The following games will improve the perception and decision making speed of players if the training is
constant over a period six to eight weeks. This kind of training can be integrated into regular team
training.

The following Perceptual Skills will be trained using these games/drills:

P1: Sensory system (ability to absorb and filter information)

P2: Perceptions of the Ball, Teammates and Opponents (ability to identify positions in

Time & Space more rapidly)

P3: Concentration

P4: Memory

P5: Visual Performance (Narrowing and Widening Field of Vision at the right moments)

The following Decision-Making Skills will also be trained using these games/drills

D1: Selective Redirection of Attention (to sudden and unexpected signals)

D2: Transition from Perception to Action (shifting gears)

D3: Internalization of Individual Actions (freeing up perceptual and decision-making capacities that
would otherwise be blocked)

D4: Precision of Movement under Pressure (coping with increased demands on perceptual and
decision-making abilities)

NOTE!

A. Decision-making must be trained along with the Perceptual skills.

B. However Decision-making can be very independent of perception whereby players ignore any
signals or variables.
C. There is a recommended age for each drill but coaches can still use these drills for younger
players but with less demands. Players with superior Perception and Decision-making skills will
be quickly identified.

Guidelines for Training

1. Players can improve their perception & Decision-making (game action speed) at any age
2. However, learning new skills and abilities takes time
3. Players vary in their ability to refine skills already learned
4. Variation is important
5. Feedback is essential
6. New skills and abilities must be regularly in games & training to minimize differences between
the two
7. Being overwhelmed, fatigued or not challenged may affect learning and even lead to regression

Courtesy of Success in Soccer .

2
Radio Communicator (P1 through P5) - Recommended for players 14 years and up OR after
experience in Perception Training

Set Up
Team play a 3v3, 4v4 or 5v5 in an area the size of a double
penalty box.
Each round lasts 2-3 minutes
2 players from team A sit out as observers and 2 players
from team B also sit out.
The Observers may walk around or stand still.
One of the observers narrates the game like a radio
announcer to his/her partner who is blindfolded.
The listener has to rely on his other senses and the
information from the radio commentator.

Sequence
1. On coachs command the game FREEZES
Variation 2. Blinded player has to describe the exact location and of
ball and ball carrier
3. If accurate then his/her team gets penalty shot but if
A. Both teams are active at the same
wrong then the other team gets a penalty shot.
time with 2 commentators &
4. Switch roles
listeners
5. Observers from team B get to be observer/listener
B. Commentators must jog to keep
up with the play holding the
hand of the listener
C. Enlarge the field and number
players

Remote Control (P1, P2, & P3 for Controllers) (P1 & P3 for Vehicles) Recommended for U14 &
up or after some experience with perception training)

Set Up
Team play 3v3 to 5v5 in an area twice the size of
the penalty box which facilitates easy
communication
Players form pairs with one Vehicle who is a
player on the field and one Controller who is a
player on the sidelines (dashed line designates
partners)
Play 3-5 minutes depending on the age of the
players and players switch roles

Sequence
Controllers move their Vehicles around the
field by giving commands
Controllers can move anywhere on the
sidelines
Vehicles can ONLY move when
commanded to do so by the Controller.
Independent Action In Not Permitted = PK
Courtesy of Success in Soccer .
3
Variations

Simplify by:

A. Assigning Controllers to the defending team only

B. Then assigning Controllers to the attacking team only

Increase Difficulty by:

A. Enlarging field and number of players

B. Partners switch roles on the fly
C. Award PK against team for failing to follow instructions

Soccer GPS (P1 through P5) - Recommended for U10 and up

Set Up
Two teams of 5v5 to 11v11 in an area of appropriate
size for the number of players
Sequence
During the run of play the coaches calls out a players
name.
The game FREEZES and the named player has to
CLOSE his eyes and turn away from the game
The player then attempts to answer the coachs
questions about positions of teammates and opponents
as requested by the coach. NOTE! Go back to the
same player more than once to ensure all players stay
focused on their surroundings
Restart with a Free Kick (no wall), PK etc depending
on how well the player answers.
DO NOT STOP PLAY MORE THAN EVERY 2 Or 3
Minutes to Keep Players Focused and Interested In the
Game

Variations

Simplify by:

A. Starting with 3 questions

a. Where is (name)?
b. Who is marking (same name)?
c. Where is the ball?

Progress to:

A. More detailed questions such as Which teammates are open (unmarked)?

B. Specifying a certain number of touches to speed up the game.

Courtesy of Success in Soccer .

4
Box Monster (Attacking Players D1, D2, D3 & D4. Box Monsters (D2) Recommended for all ages
but especially under 10 years)

Set Up
Divide into 2 groups and run using 2 goals at
the same time
Players line up about 30 yards from goal
Mark out a shooting area the width of the goal
box (6 yard box) between the penalty spot (12
yards and the top of the 18 yard box). Adjust
the size accordingly for mini-soccer
One defender is designated as the BOX
MONSTER who stands outside of the shooting
box
Sequence
Attackers attack the goal by dribbling into the
shooting box and shooting at goal
The Box Monster stands outside of the Monster
Box but can attack the shooter at any time
For younger players the Box Monster should
come from a designated side at a time and NOT
attempt to win the ball
Start with attackers having to shoot with the
second touch after entering the Shooting Box
Start with the Box Monster only entering from
the right side of the box
Variation/Progressions Switch Box Monsters after 3 or 4 shooters

A. Instruct the Box Monster to wait until the last minute to enter the box which will give
the shooter less time to react
B. Permit the Box Monster to attack from any angle
C. Permit the Box monster to try to win the ball thereby encouraging evasive fakes &
feints by the attacker

TIP: Ensure the Box Monster comes at the attacker from various angles (right corner, left corner, left
side of the box, right side of the box, front center etc.)

Courtesy of Success in Soccer .

5
Parcourse (Attacking Players D1, D2, D3 &D4) (Box Monsters D2) Recommended for 14 years of
age and older.

Set Up
Set up a parcourse for players to dribble
through
Change the activities frequently to avoid
boredom
Use only 8-10 players and rotate through
another activity such as shooting etc.
Sequence
Player A dribbles at speed through the
slalom course of poles or cones placed at 3
yard intervals (1)
The first Box Monster may appear just
after the last pole/cone. If so, Player A may
play a rebound pass (or more advanced
players a Wall Pass) with Player B (2)
Then A immediately dribbles into the
10x10 yard crossing box where he/she
plays a lofted ball into the GK (3)
He/she then runs toward a 3 yard wide box
where he/she receives a throw from the KG
(4)
Next he/she dribbles through the goal into
the next 10X6 yard box where he/she must
play a rebound pass or Wall Pass with
Player C. However the second Box
Monster may attempt to force him/her to
the right (5)
Finally he/she has to shoot from the
finishing box where a third Box Monster
may force him/her to execute another
evasive fake or feint: before shooting (6)

Courtesy of Success in Soccer .

6