Volleyball players boost game smarts with reflective pauses in practice

This study tested whether adding structured reflection and guided questioning to volleyball practice helps university players make better decisions during games. Twenty-four male players from a Colombian university program were split into two groups: one did a 4-week Tactical Critical Thinking Program integrated into regular practice, while the other continued usual training. Before and after the program, researchers measured decision-making in small-sided games. The goal was to see if this cognitive approach improves tactical choices for serving, receiving, and spiking.