Sport Sciences Research Institute Motor Behavior 2538-273X 12 42 2020 12 21 Does Experience Can Mediate the Relationship between Verbal Tactical Knowledge and Tactical Behavior in Soccer School Players? Does Experience Can Mediate the Relationship between Verbal Tactical Knowledge and Tactical Behavior in Soccer School Players? 161 186 2250 10.22089/mbj.2020.8640.1870 FA Mohammad Maleki Assistant Professor in Motor Behavior, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran 0000-0001-6297-1353 Arash Zarei Master in Sport Management, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj. Iran Journal Article 2020 04 04 Recently, considerable attention has been paid to evaluate the tactical knowledge and behavior in soccer schools. But, efficiency or inefficiency of the verbal/nonverbal protocols remain to be addressed. To address this question, current study aimed to evaluate the relationship of verbal tactical knowledge with tactical behavior and technical skills with taking level of experience into account. 36 soccer players (18 experienced with M_age=15.33±0.48; 18 unexperienced with M_age=15.5±0.51) performed the battery of soccer skills. First, they completed tactical skills inventory for sport, then tactical behaviors during 3×3 with a goalkeeper small sided games in a 30×40 meters’ pitch were videotaped, and finally, evaluated through game performance assessment by two expert raters. Results showed significant differences in pass, dribble as well as decision making, skill execution and support indices of tactical behavior (p=0.00), but, no significant difference were observed in offensive and defensive tactical knowledge (p=0.23,0.56, respectively) between two groups. For all players, tactical knowledge with tactical behavior and technical skills had no significant relationship (p>0.05), but, for the experienced players attacking tactical knowledge and support index significantly were related (p=0.01). These findings confirm inefficiency of verbal methods to evaluate the tactical knowledge in soccer schools and introduce the level of experience as an important factor to make relationship between tactical knowledge and behavior. Recently, considerable attention has been paid to evaluate the tactical knowledge and behavior in soccer schools. But, efficiency or inefficiency of the verbal/nonverbal protocols remain to be addressed. To address this question, current study aimed to evaluate the relationship of verbal tactical knowledge with tactical behavior and technical skills with taking level of experience into account. 36 soccer players (18 experienced with M_age=15.33±0.48; 18 unexperienced with M_age=15.5±0.51) performed the battery of soccer skills. First, they completed tactical skills inventory for sport, then tactical behaviors during 3×3 with a goalkeeper small sided games in a 30×40 meters’ pitch were videotaped, and finally, evaluated through game performance assessment by two expert raters. Results showed significant differences in pass, dribble as well as decision making, skill execution and support indices of tactical behavior (p=0.00), but, no significant difference were observed in offensive and defensive tactical knowledge (p=0.23,0.56, respectively) between two groups. For all players, tactical knowledge with tactical behavior and technical skills had no significant relationship (p>0.05), but, for the experienced players attacking tactical knowledge and support index significantly were related (p=0.01). These findings confirm inefficiency of verbal methods to evaluate the tactical knowledge in soccer schools and introduce the level of experience as an important factor to make relationship between tactical knowledge and behavior. https://mbj.ssrc.ac.ir/article_2250_a07c2f3b3b907aaf8436a26c6d77f0a2.pdf