Examining the Gaze Behaviour and Decision-Making of Field Hockey Players In Situ

Gaze behaviour is associated with decision-making in team sports. For instance, the final fixation of basketball players typically reflects the decision they make. However, it is not clear how athletes adapt in invasive team sports where they also control the ball using an implement (e.g., field hockey or lacrosse). In these sports, decision-making might be related to information fixated earlier on rather than the final fixation. This study investigated the relationship between gaze behaviour and decision-making in the dynamic sport of field hockey. We recorded the in situ gaze and decision-making accuracy of 15 skilled youth field hockey players in specific 3 versus 3 small-sided scenarios. Gaze behaviours were compared between players who made correct and incorrect decisions. Results indicated all players looked towards the ball in their final fixation before executing their decision, reflecting a critical difference from other invasive team sports such as basketball, where the ball carrier is in direct contact with the ball. Strikingly, it was the first fixation, rather than the last or second-to-last, in each scenario which was most associated with correct decisions. In particular, players who directed their first fixation towards the open space appeared most likely to make correct decisions in the scenarios we presented. The results emphasise the sport-specific nature of gaze behaviour and raise doubts about the transferability of gaze behaviour between closely related sports. These findings contribute to our knowledge of gaze behaviour and the decision-making processes of athletes in dynamic team sports.