This study evaluates whether embedding a Tactical Programme for Critical Thinking (TPCT) within routine academy football training improves football-specific decision-making and execution speed in under-9 male players. Participants will complete either TPCT-integrated training or standard academy training, and performance will be assessed before and after the intervention using the Stroop Task Football Test (STFT).

This controlled, parallel-group, pre-post applied study examines the effects of a Tactical Programme for Critical Thinking (TPCT) embedded within routine under-9 academy football training. The intervention is delivered on the training pitch under normal practice conditions across 12 on-pitch sessions. Both groups complete the same overall training frequency, session duration, and weekly schedule, but only the experimental group receives structured reflective questioning integrated into constrained small-sided games and free-play activities.

The study focuses on football-specific cognitive-motor performance assessed with the Stroop Task Football Test (STFT), which quantifies execution time (ET), decision-making for type of action (DMA-TA), decision-making for direction of movement (DMA-DM), and a derived Total Index (TI). The hypothesis is that TPCT will improve decision speed and decision quality compared with standard repetition-based training.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male academy football players registered in the under-9 category.
• Regular participation in academy football training.
• Free from injury at baseline and able to fully participate in training and testing.
• Written informed consent provided by a parent or legal guardian.
• Age-appropriate assent provided by the child participant.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any injury or medical condition limiting full participation at baseline.
• Injury sustained during the study that prevents continued full participation.
• Absence from more than 25% of intervention sessions.
• Inability to complete baseline assessment.
• Inability to complete post-intervention assessment.

De-identified individual participant data underlying the primary and secondary outcome analyses will be made available, together with the study protocol, statistical analysis plan, assent/consent templates, and analytic code.

Beginning 6 months after publication of the main study report and ending 5 years after publication.

Data will be available to qualified researchers who provide a methodologically sound proposal. Access will require approval by the study team and, because the study involves minors, a signed data use agreement ensuring confidentiality and no attempt at re-identification.

None (Open Label)