XS AND OS AND WHAT THE COACH KNOWS - IMPROVING TEAM STRATEGY THROUGH CRITICAL THINKING

Critical thinking can be defined most simply as thinking that assesses itself (Paul, 1995). We explored the degree to which coaches engage i n critical thinking about strategy. We used Brookfield's (1995) critic al thinking model to examine coaches' strategic thinking processes. Th e merit of the model as a tool to facilitate research and intervention in team sports was considered. We examined whether identifying and ex amining paradigmatic, prescriptive, and causal assumptions, as well as exploring alternatives for thinking and acting, can improve team stra tegy. The results provide examples of these various conceptual categor ies. The data support the use of Brookfield's (1995) model for underst anding and intervening with coaches and athletes. Examples of how spor t psychology and performance enhancement consultants might use this mo del in their work are offered.