Decision Making for Sports Officials

Ian Cunningham, PhD, is a Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Edinburgh Napier University, UK. He has provided educational design support and policy recommendations for national and professional talent-identified officiating groups in Australia, France, UK, and Canada.Aden Kittel, PhD, is a Member of the Centre for Sport Research (CSR) within the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN) at Deakin University, Australia, and has published academic journal articles and delivered conference presentation talks.Duncan Mascarenhas, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Sport and Exercise Psychology and Coaching at Edinburgh Napier University. He is the Programme Leader of the world’s first master’s degree for sports officials.Clare MacMahon, PhD, is an Associate Professor at La Trobe University, Australia. Clare is a founding Executive Member of the Australasian Skill Acquisition Network (ASAN).Paul Larkin, PhD, is a Senior Research Associate at Victoria University Maribyrnong Sports Academy, Melbourne, Australia. He has an international track record exploring talent identification and development and decision-making skills in sports officials.

• 1. Introduction. Part I: Typifying sports officials and their decisions. 2. Understanding decision-making demands in officiating. 3. Describing the video official in sports. Part II: Cognitive and mental foundations of decision making for sports officials. 4. Acquiring the necessary knowledge base for decision making in sports officials. 5. Identifying influences on decision making for sports officials. 6. Psychological preparation and skills for effective sports official decision making. Part III: Assessing, supporting, and training decision-making skills in sports officials. 7. Assessing effective decision-making performance in sports officials. 8. Creating climates to support sports officiating decision-making skill development. 9. Constructing decision-making training programs for sports officials. 10. Considering the future of decision-making training for sports officials.

"This book is an essential resource for understanding the complexities of match officiating and expertly blends theory and practice, offering invaluable insights into decision-making under pressure. A must-read for officials at all levels, this book significantly contributes to advancing the art and science of officiating."—Sara Cox, MBE, International Rugby Union Referee"This is a timely and remarkable book that covers a holistic perspective of under-researched officials’ judgments and decisions in sports. A delightfully readable and one-of-a-kind book for all that love sports!"—Markus Raab, Professor of Psychology, German Sport University Cologne