DECISION MAKING
- Firstly, expert bowlers appear to have better knowledge of the probabilities, sequences and tactical patterns of play that are involved in their game. They have better knowledge at an intuitive level about the game in general and better knowledge at the analytical level about specific opponents or opposing teams. Evidence, for example, shows that expert bowlers determine the probabilities of tactical incidents occurring within a game situation more closely than the perception by lesser skilled bowlers. This superior knowledge of tactical probabilities and counter actions allows the expert to markedly reduce their decision making time.
- Secondly, in many bowling situation the expert also has the capability through specific actions influence the decision making demands placed upon the opponents. Expert bowlers are characterised by their ability to successfully execute a wide range of options within any particular game setting, thereby maximising the uncertainty, and slowing the reaction time of their opponents. Experts are less likely to respond to false cues and ploys than novice bowlers, while through their own actions they may increase the probability of their opponents responding to inappropriate cues and tactical ploys to gain advantage of the game.
Approaches: Knowing the nature of expert and novice differences in decision making suggests a number of approaches that the coach or bowler might take to enhance the decision making skills of their bowler’s. One obvious approach is to study in detail the preferred play strategies and options of the opposing player or team. Again, video is a useful medium for doing this. The use of computerised match statistics on such measures as the relative use of different options, or the success ratios from different options etc, may be a useful objective adjunct to learning the strengths, weaknesses and probable patterns on an opponent’s play. On the practical side of things the number of response options from which to select are expanded with the use of tactical on green training drills preset to head build-ups that may occur during the game.
Furnishing decision: This deals with the act of furnishing the team with authoritative decisions, which may be given during briefings, training, in the course of the game and at debriefings. As appropriate they can be indoctrinated with training drills, or given by voice or hand signals (preferable by hand signals from the head because at times the terminology used may be misunderstood or voice instructions are either not heard or only partly heard). They must be clear, brief and to the point in relation to what is required, e.g. the type of shot and the length of delivery etc. All surplus information should be deleted e.g. never point out what bowl to avoid because sure enough they will hit it! At the head to mat situation during the game if the voice or hand signals cannot be made clear or heard the team member concerned should be called to the head for a clearer explanation.
Deception: A second focus for decision is; that training should be directed at the development and systematic practice of deception skills, the whole art of deception in game skills consist in either masking the visual display in such a way that the opponent misinterprets the cues or in presenting distracting cues for response. Consideration that the bowler and coach should make in practising deceptive skills specific for a particular game includes considering and practising possible means of;
- Disguising critical cues,
- Presenting false cues,
- Increasing the number of possibly relevant cues,
- Presenting the critical cue as late as possible.
Re-establishing control: Re-establishing control after making incorrect decisions can be time wasting and destructive to yourself and the team. One mistake can be forgiven but two or three mistakes in a row creates; fear and doubt in your knowledge, your ability to control your mental performance and your ingenuity to compete or to lead a team. When stuck in this sort of situation your first decision should be; keep cool, calm and collective and not only look at how you can re-establish control but how the other member of the team can help to circumvent and dominate the game.
Training: All other things being equal, the more practice a bowler undertakes the more learning will take place e.g. a fair amount of previous learning will progress into the automatic phase (the subconscious mind; meaning existing or operating beneath or beyond consciousness, the totality of mental processes of which the individual is not aware etc.) and allows provisions for new matter to be absorbed. To reach elite levels in the competitive arena inevitably involves the bowler practising advanced skills extensively designed with preset heads that require certain types of shots to be played. The variation and familiarisation of the different shaped heads to what may occur during a game, when perfected; it will create instant decision making for the bowler. The number of bowls included in the head setup should comply with what they would face in relation the position they play within the team. This must also include practising under a range of different tasks conditions e.g. variations introduced by changes in wind speed, the speed of the green, the angle for each type of shot and the change of length of the delivery, this better prepares performers for coping with novel tasks conditions than does practice under constant unvarying conditions.
