Exploring the development of ‘understanding’ in high-level youth soccer players

Background Developing understanding, and tactical understanding in particular, is an important goal for coaches in high-level youth sport. Deeper understanding can be associated with metacognition, which in soccer, is suggestive of players who can outwit the opponent by strategising. Although attractive, however, the construct is difficult to operationalise and hence, is seen as a challenging area, albeit a crucial one.