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_p²=.12), but this difference depended on scenario difficulty (Difficulty × Group: p=.003, η_p²=.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_p²=.12), with coaches scoring higher across action types (p<.001,η_p²=.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.