Improving basketball decision making in elementary school

through learning of tactical knowledge on shoot

Abstract

Game performance doesn't always depend only on “technique”. It depends on also tactical decision making. Tactical decision making is the ability which makes one possible to understand game situation and decide the proper action in a moment (Nakagawa, 2000). The foundation of this decision is the tactical knowledge. In this sense, teaching appropriate tactical knowledge in physical education class is so important. Also one should examine the possibility of learning such knowledge.
In this study, tactical knowledge on shoot in basketball games was taught in 10 hours unit in elementary physical education class. Through this unit, possibility of improving decision making ability on it was examined. The main findings were summarized as follows:
1) Children acquired tactical knowledge on proper decision making about shoot and pass before learning in higher level. But, the tactical knowledge about ball keeping was poor.
2) The number of proper answer on the ball keeping was getting better in the physical education class.
3) Even though ten hours basketball class, the tactical knowledge on the shoot and the ball keep on proper decision making, were acquired.
4) Even though ten hours basketball class, in the no mark situation, pupil could make proper decision making in shooting in games. But, it was difficult for them to create such situation by themselves in games.
It was suggested that the acquisition of tactical knowledge on proper decision making would be the clue to improve children's decision making and it would be possible to learn it even though in physical education class. On the other hands, effective order of learning subject matter between opponent position and effective space should be examined.