Do coaches see the game better than players? Testing tactical decisions with video scenarios

Decision-making in soccer depends on the information available in unfolding play, yet it remains unclear whether coaches differ from players on standardized video-based assessments and whether any differences depend on situational demands. We compared 29 coaches and 52 players on a temporal-occlusion task comprising 28 animated match scenarios. On each trial, participants selected one of four tactical options pre-rated by an expert coach panel for appropriateness (1–4). Decision scores were analyzed with mixed-effects models including Stroop interference and Cognitive Reflection Test score as covariates; decision response times were analyzed in parallel. Coaches selected higher-rated options than players in the difficulty-based analysis ( p = . 002 , η p 2 = . 12 ), but this difference depended on scenario difficulty (Difficulty × Group: p = . 003 , η p 2 = . 11 ): coaches outperformed players in easy clips ( p < . 0001 ) but not in difficult clips ( p > . 05 ). Scores were higher for defensive than offensive situations ( p < . 001 , η p 2 = . 12 ), with coaches scoring higher across action types ( p < . 001 , η p 2 = . 08 ). Players responded faster than coaches, whereas Group interactions with Difficulty and Action Type were nonsignificant for response time. Cognitive covariates were not associated with decision quality. Overall, coach–player differences were most evident in lower-ambiguity scenarios, highlighting the context-dependent nature of tactical decision assessment in soccer.