That’s out! How expert umpires make leg-before-wicket judgements in cricket
- Authors: Adie, Joshua , Renshaw, Ian , Russell, Scott , Polman, Remco , Mann, David
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Sports Sciences Vol. 42, no. 5 (2024), p. 455-464
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- Description: Despite evidence that elite-level cricket umpires are highly accurate in making leg-before-wicket (LBW) judgements, there is limited understanding as to how they make these judgements. In this study, we explored the explicit LBW decision-making expertise of elite-level cricket umpires (N = 10) via 10 individual semi-structured interviews. Using thematic analysis, we aimed to identify the sources of information that umpires incorporate into their decision-making process. Results indicated that umpires engage in intentional pre-delivery information-gathering to guide their expectations, and to set context-specific parameters as to what would constitute an LBW dismissal. Not only do umpires use information about the ball trajectory, but they also use additional information about the condition of the pitch, the action-capabilities and susceptibilities of players, and the unique requirements of different match formats. Umpires reported employing a gaze-anchor strategy when gathering information for each delivery and described the process of this information as initially intuitive, before engaging in deeper post-hoc reasoning. Findings highlight the importance of including contextual information when exploring officials’ decisions and may inform future training interventions for cricket umpires. © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Coaches’ use of remote coaching : experiences from paralympic sport
- Authors: Taylor, Sarah , Renshaw, Ian , Pinder, Ross , Polman, Remco , Russell, Scott
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Sport Coaching Journal Vol. 10, no. 3 special issue (2023), p. 316-327
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- Description: Remote coaching via the use of digital technologies has been utilized within Paralympic Sports since 2015 to address challenges experienced by coaches. These technologies have connected coaches and athletes in real time, alleviating time and travel costs. However, very little is known about the experience of coaching in these environments. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the experiences of coaches’ use of remote coaching technologies. Seven coaches from five Paralympic Sports were recruited for this study and participated in semistructured interviews. Additionally, observations were conducted of remote coaching sessions that were part of their regular training schedules. Coaches’ insights highlight that remote technologies created opportunities to increase coach–athlete interactions and positively impact the development of interpersonal relationships. This allowed coaches to explore and exploit newly discovered information from within training environments to aid athletes in skill development. Additionally, remote coaching provided unexpected opportunities for coach development. However, coaches also reported new environmental and logistical challenges which disrupted their usual coaching approach. Overall, remote coaching technologies were perceived as being beneficial despite the challenges experienced. However, future research that looks to understand how to impact coach and athlete development through the online environment is encouraged. © 2023 Human Kinetics, Inc.