Eight phases of intent training for the establishment of game principles in volleyball
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v79.119133Keywords:
Decision-making , sports performance, basic skill performance, sports training, tactics, team sportsAbstract
Introduction: In the article “Design of a network of principles of play for volleyball based on intention as a systemic agent”, the justification and conceptualization of intention and the principles of play for volleyball were developed, forming the conceptual foundation of the present work.
Objective: To present a methodological proposal for the development of intention in sports, integrating tools and strategies for decision-making training from various perspectives.
Methodology: This essay reviews the current state of research regarding decision-making in sports, specifically in volleyball, from different perspectives. Interventions that have been proven effective for improving decision-making are reviewed, and other implementable tools are proposed, with an emphasis on feedback and questioning.
Results: A methodological proposal for the development of intention in sports is presented, consisting of eight phases (five diagnostic phases using observation and questioning, and three phases for designing representative training tasks).
Discussion: Research results from different theoretical perspectives show effective tools and strategies for improving decision-making. To these, one can add those inferred from evidence in cognitive neuroscience, integrating the entire set into a logical series of practical interventions for the development of intention in sports.
Conclusion: In the training of intention, useful strategies include: reflective techniques, providing appropriate feedback, challenging players, considering their emotions, fostering variability between typical and atypical sequences, and using ad hoc recording and monitoring systems.
References
Alm, P. A. (2021). The Dopamine System and Automatization of Movement Sequences: A Review With Relevance for Speech and Stuttering. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 15, 661880. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2021.661880
Arabacı, G., & Parris, B. A. (2020). Inattention and task switching performance: The role of predictabili-ty, working memory load and goal neglect. Psychological Research, 84, 2090–2110. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00426-019-01214-1
Araújo, D. (2014). La toma de decisiones en el deporte bajo la perspectiva del sistema individuo-entorno. En F. Del Villar y L. García- González (Eds.). El entrenamiento táctico y decisional en el deporte (pp. 43-58). Editorial Síntesis.
Araújo, D., Davids, K., Chow, J. Y., & Passos, P. (2009). The development of decision making skill in sport: an ecological dynamics perspective. In D. Araújo, H. Ripoll & M. Raab (Eds.), Perspectives on cognition and action in sport (pp. 157-170). Nova Science Publishers.
Araújo, D., Davids, K., & Renshaw, I. (2020). Cognition, emotion and action in sport: An ecological dy-namics perspective. En G. Tenenbaum & R. C. Eklund (Eds.), Handbook of Sport Psychology (4.ª ed., Vol. 1, pp. 535–555). John Wiley & Sons
Araújo, D., Hristovski, R., Seifert, L., Carvalho, J., & Davids, K. (2019). Ecological cognition: Expert deci-sion-making behaviour in sport. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 12(1), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750984X.2017.1349826
Araújo, D., Travassos, B., Torrents, C., & Vives, M. (2011). La toma de decisiones en el deporte. Un ejem-plo aplicado al fútbol. Innovació en Educació Física (IN & EF), 3(2), 1-7.
Araújo, R., Mesquita, I., Hastie, P. A., & Pereira, C. (2016). Students’ game performance improvements during a hybrid sport education– step-game-approach volleyball unit. European Physical Edu-cation Review, 22(2), 185-200. https://doi.org/10.1177/1356336x15597927
Araújo, R., Hastie, P. A., Lohse, K. R., Bessa, C., & Mesquita, I. (2019). The long-term development of vo-lleyball game play performance using Sport Education and the Step-Game-Approach model. Eu-ropean Physical Education Review, 25(2), 311-326. https://doi.org/10.1177/1356336x17730307
Badets, A., & Blandin, Y. (2012). Feedback and intention during motor-skill learning: A connection with prospective memory. Psychological Research, 76(5), 601–610. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00426-011-0365-0
Bayer, C. (1986). La enseñanza de los juegos deportivos colectivos. Editorial Hispano Europea S.A.
Bertalanffy, L. V. (1989). Teoría General de los Sistemas. Fundamento, Desarrollo, Aplicaciones (7ª reimpresión). Fondo de cultura económica.
Bobrownicki, R., Carson, H. J., MacPherson, A. C., & Collins, D. (2023). Constraints of the constraints-led approach in American football and comments on Yearby et al. (2022). Sports Coaching Review. 15(1), 46-58. https://doi.org/10.1080/21640629.2022.2158579
Bombín-González, I., Cifuentes-Rodríguez, A., Climent-Martínez, G., Luna-Lario, P., Cardas-Ibáñez, J., Tirapu-Ustárroz, J., & Díaz-Orueta, U. (2014). Validez ecológica y entornos multitarea en la eva-luación de las funciones ejecutivas. Revista de Neurología, 59(2), 77–87.
Carvalho, J., Araújo, D., García-González, L., & Iglesias, D. (2011). El entrenamiento de la toma de deci-siones en el tenis: ¿qué fundamentos científicos se pueden aplicar en los programas de entre-namiento? Revista de Psicología del Deporte, 20, 767-783.
Carvalho, J., Correia, V., & Araújo, D. (2014). Entrenamiento basado en la manipulación de los constre-ñimientos en deportes individuales. En F. Del Villar y L. García-González (Eds.), El entrenamien-to táctico y decisional en el deporte (pp. 209-222). Editorial Síntesis.
Chow, J. Y., Davids, K., Button, C., & Renshaw, I. (2022). Nonlinear pedagogy in skill acquisition. An in-troduction. Routledge.
Collins, R., Collins, D., & Carson, H. J. (2022). Muscular collision chess: A qualitative exploration of the role and development of cognition, understanding and knowledge in elite-level decision ma-king. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 20(3), 828–848. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197x.2021.1907768
Conejero, M., Serenini, A. L., Fernández-Echeverría, C., Collado-Mateo, D., & Moreno, M. P. (2020). The Effect of Decision Training, from a Cognitive Perspective, on Decision-Making in Volleyball: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(10), 3628. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103628
Davids, K., Araújo, D., Hristovski, R., Passos, P., & Chow, J. Y. (2012). Ecological dynamics and motor learning design in sport. In N. J. Hodges & A. M. Williams (Eds.), Skill Acquisition in Sport: Re-search, Theory and Practice (2.ª ed., pp. 112–130). Routledge
Davids, K., Araújo, D., & Shuttleworth, R. (2005). Applications of dynamical systems theory to football. In T. Reilly, J. Cabri & D. Araújo (Eds.), Science and Football V: The Proceedings of the Fifth World Congress on Sports Science and Football (pp. 537–550). Routledge.
De Waelle, S., Bennett, S. J., Scott, M. A., Lenoir, M., & Deconinck, F. J. A. (2025). Improving on-field deci-sion making using video-based training – A pilot study with young volleyball players. PLoS One 20(12), e0338523. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0338523
García-González L., Moreno M. P., Moreno A., Gil-Arias A., & Del Villar F. (2013). Effectiveness of a vi-deo-feedback and questioning program to develop cognitive expertise in sport. PlosOne, 8, e82270. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0082270
García López, L. M., & Gutiérrez, D. (2016). Aprendiendo a Enseñar Deporte. Modelos de Enseñanza Comprensiva y Educación Deportiva. INDE.
Gil-Arias, A., Moreno, M. P., García-Mas, A., Moreno, A., García-González, L., & Del Villar, F. (2016). Reasoning and Action: Implementation of a Decision-Making Program in Sport. The Spanish Journal of Psychology, 19, E60. https://doi.org/10.1017/sjp.2016.58
Gómez, A. J., & Ortiz-Jiménez, X. A. (2025). Entrenamiento cognitivo en deportistas: una revisión de literatura. Revista Iberoamericana de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y el Deporte, 14(3), 273-289. https://doi.org/10.24310/riccafd.14.3.2025.22193
Good, T. L., & Brophy, J. E. (2000). Looking in classrooms. Longman.
Guo, Y., Chen, C., Peng, J., Deng, L., & Yuan, T. (2025). Does Visual Training Enhance Athletes' Decision-Making Skills and Sport-Specific Performance? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports, 35(10), e70140. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.70140
Harvey, S., & Light, R. L. (2015). Questioning for learning in gamebased approaches to teaching and coaching. Asia-Pacific Journal of Health, Sport and Physical Education, 6(2), 175-190. https://doi.org/10.1080/18377122.2015.1051268
Hernández, E., Oña, A., Bilbao, A., Ureña, A., & Bolaños, J. (2011). Efecto de la aplicación de un sistema automatizado de proyección de preíndices para la mejora de la capacidad de anticipación en ju-gadoras de voleibol. Revista de Psicología del Deporte, 20(2), 551-572.
Hodges, N. J., Starkes, J. L., & MacMahon, C. (2006). Expert performance in sport: A cognitive process. In K. A. Ericsson, N. Charness, P. J. Feltovich & R. Hoffman (Eds.), The Cambridge Handbook of Ex-pertise and Expert Performance (pp. 471-488). Cambridge University Press.
Jeong, Y. H., Healy, L. C., & McEwan, D. (2023). The application of Goal Setting Theory to goal setting interventions in sport: a systematic review. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psycho-logy, 16(1), 474–499. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750984X.2021.1901298
Kotsis, K. T., & Tsiouri, E. (2025). Using proverbs to teach Newton’s three laws in Greece. Journal of Literature Advances, 2(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.26855/jla.2025.06.001.
Kracl, C. L. (2012). Review or True? Using Higher-Level Thinking Questions in Social Studies Instruc-tion. The Social Studies, 103(2), 57–60. https://doi.org/10.1080/00377996.2011.586382
Lau, H. C., Rogers, R. D., Haggard, P., & Passingham, R. E. (2004). Attention to intention. Science, 303(5661), 1208–1210. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1090973
Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (1990). A theory of goal setting and task performance. Prentice-Hall.
Magnaguagno, L., & Beck, D. (2025). Decision- making process in game sports: what do top- level play-ers think of current research? Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 7, 1653834. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2025.1653834
Miranda, A., & Torres, H. S. (2015). Un modelo psicológico de la intencionalidad. European Scientific Journal, 11(35), 94–105. Recuperado de https://eujournal.org/index.php/esj/article/view/6784
Mitchell, S., Oslin, J. L., & Griffin, L. (2006). Teaching Sport Concepts and Skills. A Tactical Games Ap-proach. Human Kinetics.
Moreno, A., Del Villar, F., García-González, L., Gil, A., & Moreno, M. P. (2011). Intervención en la toma de decisiones en jugadores de voleibol en etapas de formación. Revista de Psicología del Deporte, 20(2), 785-800.
Moreno, M. P., Moreno, A., Ureña, A., Iglesias, D., & Del Villar, F. (2008). Application of mentoring through reflection in female setters of the Spanish national volleyball team. A case study. Inter-national Journal of Sport Psychology, 39(1), 59-76.
Mutonyi, H. (2016). Stories, proverbs, and anecdotes as scaffolds for learning science concepts. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 53(6), 943-971. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.21255.
O’Connor, D., Larkin, P., Robertson, S., & Goodyear, P. (2021). The art of the question: the structure of questions posed by youth soccer coaches during training. Physical Education and Sport Peda-gogy, 27(3), 304–319. https://doi.org/10.1080/17408989.2021.1877270
Oslin, J., & Mitchell, S. (2006). Game-centered approaches to teaching physical education. In D. Kirk, D. MacDonald, & M. O’Sullivan (Eds.), The handbook of physical education (pp. 627–651). Sage.
Petiot G. H., Aquino R., da Silva D. C., Barreira D. V., & Raab, M. (2021). Contrasting Learning Psychology Theories Applied to the Teaching-Learning-Training Process of Tactics in Soccer. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 637085. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.637085
Petiot, G. H., Bagatin, R., Aquino, R., & Raab, M. (2021). Key characteristics of decisión making in soccer and their implications. Nex Ideas in Psychology, 61, 100846. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.newideapsych.2020.100846
Posner, M. I., & Petersen, S. E. (1990). The attention system of the human brain. Annual Review of Neu-roscience, 13, 25 42. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ne.13.030190.000325
Ramos, A., Davids, K., Coutinho, P., & Mesquita, I. (2022). Tracking relations between development of tactical knowledge and tactical behaviour: a season-long action research study. Physical Educa-tion and Sport Pedagogy, 29(4), 346–360. https://doi.org/10.1080/17408989.2022.2083099
Rodríguez-Gutiérrez, A., Conejero, M., & Moreno, A. (2025). The Effect of Ecological Approaches on Tactical Performance in Volleyball: A Systematic Review. Applied Sciences, 15(12), 6721. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15126721
Rudd, J. R., Crotti, M., Fitton-Davies, K., O’Callaghan, L., Bardid, F., Utesch, T., Roberts, S., Boddy, L. M., Cronin, C. J., Knowles, Z., Foulkes, J., Watson, P. M., Pesce, C., Button, C., Lubans, D. R., Buszard, T., Walsh, B., & Foweather, L. (2020). Skill Acquisition Methods Fostering Physical Literacy in Early-Physical Education (SAMPLE-PE): Rationale and Study Protocol for a Cluster Randomi-zed Controlled Trial in 5–6-Year-Old Children From Deprived Areas of North West England. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1228. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01228
Sáez-Gallego, N. M., Vila-Maldonado, S., Abellán, J., & Contreras, O. R. (2018) El entrenamiento percepti-vo de bloqueadoras juveniles de voleibol. Revista Internacional de Medicina y Ciencias de la Ac-tividad Física y el Deporte vol. 18(69), 151-166. https://doi.org/10.15366/rimcafd2018.69.009
Scaglia, A. J., Costa, V. H. S., Júnior, J. B., Misuta, M. S., & Machado, J. (2021). Possibilidades e potenciali-dades técnico-táticas em diferentes tradicionais jogos/brincadeiras de bola com os pés. Retos, 39, 312–317. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v0i39.79350
Schmidt, R. A., & Lee, T. D. (1999). Motor Control and Learning—A Behavioural Emphasis. Human Ki-netics.
Schröder, T., Stewart, T. C., & Thagard, P. (2014). Intention, emotion, and action: A neural theory based on semantic pointers. Cognitive Science, 38(5), 851–880. https://doi.org/10.1111/cogs.12100
Sheeran, P., & Webb, T. L. (2016). The intention–behavior gap. Social and Personality Psychology Com-pass, 10(9), 503–518. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12265
Siedentop, D. (1983). Developing Teaching Skills in Physical Education (2ª ed.). Mayfield Publishing Company.
Steel, A., Baker, C. I., & Stagg, C. J. (2020). Intention to learn modulates the impact of reward and pu-nishment on sequence learning. Scientific Reports, 10, 8906. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-65853-w
Thompson, J. J., McColeman, C. M., Blair, M. R., & Henrey, A. J. (2019). Classic motor chunking theory fails to account for behavioural diversity and speed in a complex naturalistic task. PLoS ONE, 14(6), e0218251. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0218251
Trach, J. E., McKim, T. H., & Desrochers, T. M. (2021). Abstract sequential task control is facilitated by practice and embedded motor sequences. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Me-mory, and Cognition, 47(10), 1638–1659. https://doi.org/10.1037/xlm0001004
Ureña, A., & Moreno, M. P. (2024). Definición de los componentes del juego en voleibol desde un enfo-que sistémico. Retos, 57, 570-580. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v57.106594
Ureña, A., & Moreno, M. P. (2026). Diseño de una red de principios del juego para el voleibol basada en la intención como agente sistémico. Retos, 78, 1197-1216. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v79.119132
Vickers, J. N. (2007). Perception, cognition and decision training. Human Kinetics.
Wächter, T., Lungu, O. V., Liu, T., Willingham, D. T., & Ashe, J. (2009). Differential effect of reward and punishment on procedural learning. The Journal of Neuroscience, 29(2), 436–443. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4132-08.2009
Wright, J., & Forrest, G. (2007). A social semiotic analysis of knowledge construction and games centred approaches to teaching. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 12, 273–287. https://doi.org/10.1080/17408980701610201
Yeom, H. G., Kim, J. S., & Chung, C. K. (2020). Brain mechanisms in motor control during reaching movements: Transition of functional connectivity according to movement states. Scientific Re-ports, 10(1), 567. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-57489-7
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 M. Perla Moreno Arroyo, Aurelio Ureña Espa
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and ensure the magazine the right to be the first publication of the work as licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of authorship of the work and the initial publication in this magazine.
- Authors can establish separate additional agreements for non-exclusive distribution of the version of the work published in the journal (eg, to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Is allowed and authors are encouraged to disseminate their work electronically (eg, in institutional repositories or on their own website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as to a subpoena more Early and more of published work (See The Effect of Open Access) (in English).
This journal provides immediate open access to its content (BOAI, http://legacy.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/boaifaq.htm#openaccess) on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. The authors may download the papers from the journal website, or will be provided with the PDF version of the article via e-mail.
