An examination of ‘explicitation techniques’ to enhance decision-making in Korfball: an Action Research study

Abstract

This thesis develops the use of ‘explicitation techniques’ as a pedagogical tool for coaches to enhance players’ awareness and decisions. Recent research has highlighted a new appreciation for the use of phenomenological methods in sports coaching (e.g. Mouchet, Morgan & Thomas, 2018). Furthermore, Mouchet’s research (2005; 2008) has highlighted the use of explicitation interviews to enhance rugby players’ understandings of previous decisions. Through extended questioning, the interviewer attempts to invoke an ‘evocative state’ of the interviewee where they re-live a previous experience in order to access information stored in the subconscious. By utilising an Action Research approach over twelve weeks, the aim of the study was to develop the use of these techniques within my own coaching practice in order to enhance my players’ game awareness and develop their in-game decision-making. The study used a group of five experienced Korfball players who engaged with the explicitation informed interviews as part of their regular training sessions, they then discussed their experiences in Focus Groups at the end of each Action Research cycle. The results extend the existing research into ‘explicitation interviews’ by developing the applied utility of explicitation techniques through short interviews during coaching practice. The results show that through engagement with these interviews the participants developed their game awareness whilst playing and believed that further engagement in the explicitation techniques would be beneficial for themselves and other players.