MacMahon, Clare and Mildenhall, B (2012) A practical perspective on decision making influences in sports officiating. International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, 7 (1). pp. 153-165. ISSN 1747-9541 (print) 2048-397X (online)

Abstract

The objective of this article is to reflect on the sport science research findings related to decision making and decision-making errors in sports officials (judges, umpires, referees). Specifically, we reflect on the mechanisms that have been discussed as influential in leading to these errors, and the responses to these errors. We present the general view that officials are human information processors both vulnerable to, and in some cases benefitting from the limitations of their system. We advocate that most cases of errors are due to missing information and uncertainty pertaining to the judgment, and that rather than removing information, where possible, more certainty, and/or more information should be provided. This article also bridges the science with informal practices, highlighting the ways in which more certainty and information are naturally sought and provided in sports officiating.

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