Differences in processing of game information in basketball players, coaches and referees

This study applied the expert performance approach (Ericsson & Smith, 199 1) to test groups of players, coaches and referees in three separate video-based decision-making tasks designed to correspond to the demands of each role (playing, coaching, refereeing). Although previous research has shown expected role-based superiority in role-based tasks (e.g., Allard, Parker Deakin & Rodgers, 1993), this study found greater overlap between the groups. For example, referees outperformed players and coaches in deciding on the next optimal offensive move, but were not superior in identifying infractions. The findings show that current role is not a sufficient grouping to elicit clear role-based differences, and indicates that past experience as a player provides lasting influences on current processing for coaches and referees. This interpretation has positive implications for transfer of processing skill during role transitions (e.g., players who become referees). Future research should continue to explore appropriate tasks that elicit role-based differences and attempt to control for experience more rigorously, given the complexity of capturing role-related skill in the laboratory.