On-Pitch Use of Mobile Devices: An Acceptance Study Among German Elite Youth Football Coaches
Main Article Content
Abstract
Through 19 in-depth interviews with youth academy coaches at different levels, this study investigates the acceptance of mobile devices among elite youth football coaches in Germany, focusing on the integration of smartphones and tablets for on-pitch use. While mobile devices provide opportunities for live tracking, video feedback, and performance monitoring, their adoption remains influenced by traditional coaching norms and organizational limitations. Using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this research explores coaches’ perceptions of usefulness and ease of use, examining factors such as subjective norms, structural barriers, and resource availability. Findings reveal that while many coaches recognize the value of technology for individualized player development, the devices are typically viewed as supplementary to traditional methods. Social expectations, resource constraints, and device-specific challenges continue to shape coaches’ willingness to integrate mobile tools, highlighting the need for targeted support to enhance the effective use of technology in youth coaching.
Keywords: Mobile Device Acceptance, Elite Youth Football Coaching, Technology Acceptance Model, Coaching Innovation, German Football Culture
Bibliography: Ingwersen, Florian/Habenstein, Dominic: On-Pitch Use of Mobile Devices: An Acceptance Study Among German Elite Youth Football Coaches, FuG – Zeitschrift für Fußball und Gesellschaft, 1-2024, pp. 38-53.
Article Details
Literature
Collins, Dave/Carson, Howie J./Cruickshank, Andrew (2015): Blaming Bill Gates AGAIN! Misuse, overuse and misunderstanding of performance data in sport. In: Sport, Education and Society 20, 8, pp. 1088–1099. DOI: 10.1080/13573322.2015.1053803
Cronin, Christopher/Whitehead, Amy/Webster, Stephan/Huntley, Thomas (2019): Transforming, storing and consuming athletic experiences: A coach’s narrative of using a video application. In: Sport, Education and Society 24, 3, pp. 311–323. DOI: 10.1080/13573322.2017.1355784
Cushion, Christopher/Armour, Kathy/Jones, Robyn (2003): Coach education and continuing professional development: Experience and learning to coach. In: Quest, 55, 3, pp. 215–230.
Davis, Fred D./Bagozzi, Richard P./Warshaw, Paul R. (1989): User acceptance of computer technology: A comparison of two theoretical models. In: Management Science 35, pp. 982–1003.
Groom, Ryan/Cushion, Christopher/Nelson, Lee (2011): The delivery of video-based Performance analysis by England youth soccer coaches: Towards a grounded theory. In: Journal of Applied Sport Psychology 23, 1, pp. 16–32. DOI: 10.1080/10413200.2010.511422
Ingwersen, Florian/Schlesinger, Torsten, & Habenstein, Dominic (2023): Mobile devices in German football coaching and implications for coach education: Investigating coaches’ usage, access, and guidance. In Leeder, Thomas (Ed.), Coach Education in Football. London: Routledge, pp. 307–320.
Kohe, Geoffery Z./Purdy, Laura G. (2019): Analytical attractions and the techno-continuum: conceptualising data obsessions and consequences in elite sport. In: Sport, Education and Society 24, 7, pp. 742–755. DOI: 10.1080/13573322.2018.1467398
Kruse, Jan (2015): Qualitative Interviewforschung. Weinheim: Beltz.
Mackenzie, Rob/Cushion, Chris (2013): Performance analysis in football: A critical review and implications for future research. In: Journal of Sports Sciences 31, 6, pp. 639–676. DOI 10.1080/02640414.2012.746720
Mayring, Philipp (2019): Qualitative Content Analysis: Demarcation, Varieties, Developments. Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung / Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 20, 3.
Memmert, Daniel/Raabe, Dominik (2017): Revolution im Profifußball. Mit Big Data zur Spielanalyse 4.0. Berlin: Springer.
Morrison, Jo (2023): An evolutionary perspective on sport and performance enhancement. Performance Enhancement & Health, 1, 4, 100247.
Rein, Robert/Memmert, Daniel (2016): Big data and tactical analysis in elite soccer: Future challenges and opportunities for sports science. In: SpringerPlus 5, 1, pp. 2–13. DOI: 10.1186/s40064–016–3108–2
Venkatesh, Venkatesh/Bala, Hillol (2008): Technology acceptance model 3 and a research agenda on interventions. Decision Sciences, 39, 2, 273–315.
Williams, Mark A./Hodges, Nicole J. (2005): Practice, instruction and skill acquisition in soccer: challenging tradition. In: Journal of Sports Sciences 23, 6, pp. 637–650.