As a coach, making the right decisions is key to the success of your team. However, making informed and objective decisions can be a challenge, especially in high-pressure situations. This is where decision-making tools such as decision matrices and decision trees can be incredibly useful.

A decision matrix is a tool that helps coaches weigh the pros and cons of different options. The matrix is made up of a table with each option listed on one axis and each factor to consider listed on the other. Each factor is assigned a weight based on its importance, and each option is scored based on how well it meets each factor. The scores are then added up to determine which option is the best overall.

Using the scenario that your team is about to play a cup match against a significantly stronger opposition than you are used to. Some players have been nervous all week yet have trained well, others seem relaxed yet haven’t trained to their normal levels. Parking the bus isn’t an option because the opposition has a very tall striker who scores most of their goals from crosses. Crosses are delivered by two wingers who on the left are capable of going around the outside of your full back and crossing and the other winger is equally capable of cutting inside for inswinging crosses. You now need to decide your tactics and whether you want to stop the ball from being played into your defensive third or whether you will spoil and disrupt the reception. Which players need to be selected to give you the best chance of being successful in your match tactics? You also need to consider needing to create goal-scoring opportunities to give you a chance of winning the cup match. What will be the best opportunities you can create – are they from open-play or the more structured option of set-pieces i.e. throw-ins, free-kicks, corners etc?

To create a decision matrix for the scenario above, the coach could list the different player options on one axis and the key factors to consider on the other, such as defensive ability, attacking ability, experience, and fitness. Each factor would be assigned a weight based on its importance, such as defensive ability being more important than attacking ability. The coach would then score each player option based on how well they meet each factor and add up the scores to determine which player is the best fit for the game.

A decision tree is another tool that can help coaches make complex decisions by breaking them down into smaller, more manageable steps. The tree is made up of a series of branching paths, each representing a decision or action. Each path leads to a different outcome, and the coach can use probabilities and potential outcomes to determine the best course of action.

To create a decision tree for the scenario above, the coach could start with the decision of whether to prioritise defending or attacking. From there, they could create branching paths for each option, such as focusing on stopping the opposition’s delivery into the front area or spoiling the reception. Each path would then lead to different potential outcomes, such as conceding a goal or creating a scoring opportunity.

Using decision-making tools like decision matrices and decision trees can help coaches make more objective and informed decisions, especially in high-pressure situations. By breaking down complex decisions into smaller, more manageable steps, coaches can weigh the pros and cons of different options and choose the best course of action. In the scenario above, using a decision matrix or decision tree could help the coach determine the best player to start and the best team shape and tactics to use in order to give their team the best chance of success against a stronger opponent.