Hangx, Sem (2025) Scaffolding in coach-player interactions within video feedback sessions: the development of game reading in youth soccer players. Master thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
Elite level soccer requires players to make quick decisions within a dynamic and unpredictable context. A crucial cognitive skill that supports this ability is game reading: identifying and interpreting patterns within a game. Coaches often use video feedback sessions to improve this skill. Nevertheless, it is unclear what instructional strategies are the most efficient. This study investigates whether scaffolding (adaptation of question level by the coach based on player’s response) is related to the development of game reading skills in youth soccer players. Three video-feedback sessions between professional KNVB coaches and under-15 and under-16 national youth players have been analyzed. All verbal utterances from both the coaches and the players were coded using a soccer specific Skill Theory framework. Results show that players consistently operated at a higher complexity level than the coaches. No pattern of game reading development within the players was observed, nor did we find a pattern suggesting scaffolding by the coaches. In some cases, the coaches seemed to have followed the Skill Theory level of the players, instead of guiding them towards higher levels. This may suggest a lack of challenge provided by the coaches. These findings suggest that even experienced soccer coaches may lack instructional and pedagogical skills to effectively support game reading development during video feedback sessions. This highlights the need to train coaches in adaptive questioning techniques, to support the ongoing development of young athletes. Keywords: Scaffolding, Skill Theory, coach-player interaction, game reading development, youth soccer players, Complex Dynamic Systems
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
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| Supervisor name: | Hartigh, J.R. den |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | Talent Development and Creativity (TDC) [Master Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 02 Jul 2025 12:22 |
| Last Modified: | 02 Jul 2025 12:22 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/5233 |
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