Decision-Making in Basketball: Using the "Pick and Roll"

Abstract

Decision-making in high-pressure situations is a determining factor in athletic performance, especially in team sports such as basketball. This study aims to identify the main causes that affect athletes' ability to make effective decisions during critical moments, in order to improve their performance and competitive results. The research is quantitative, with a descriptive and correlational approach, and focuses on understanding how different dimensions and parameters influence players' performance in specific plays, particularly in the "Pick and Roll" action. The sample is composed of nine female basketball athletes, aged between 13 and 15 years, which allows obtaining detailed information about their behaviors and decisions during the game. Data collection methods included observation, content analysis, semi-structured interviews with players, game analysis, and decision perception, in addition to statistical analysis that included descriptive and correlational techniques. These approaches facilitated a comprehensive view of the decision-making and execution process in the context of youth women's basketball, allowing for the identification of patterns, strengths, and areas for improvement in the athletes' cognitive and tactical skills. The results reveal that the quality of decision-making among the Pinar Río women's basketball team, for those aged 13 to 15, is deficient, especially in high-pressure situations and in game analysis. It was observed that the effectiveness of the "Pick and Roll" strategy execution is affected by difficulties in coordination and perception of the opportune moment to act. Furthermore, the average decision-making time indicates a tendency toward slow decisions, possibly attributable to a lack of clarity and effective communication among the players. These conclusions highlight the need to strengthen the team's cognitive and communication skills to optimize its performance in critical situations.