The Impact of Intra-Team Communication on Strategic Decision-Making and Game Management in High School Soccer Teams

Objectives The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of intra-team communication on strategic decision-making and the efficiency of game management in high school sports club soccer teams. Soccer is a sport that requires teamwork and collaboration, and smooth communication during matches is a crucial factor in performance and success. This study examines a high school soccer team that finished as the runner-up in the Gyeonggi Province High School Sports Club Soccer Tournament and explores how intra-team communication before, during, and after matches influences strategy formulation, tactical adjustments, role allocation, and game management effectiveness. The ultimate goal is to provide practical implications for improving the performance of school sports club teams. Methods This study adopts a mixed-method research approach, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. The survey was conducted to analyze the relationships between intra-team communication frequency and quality, strategic decision-making, role allocation, and game management. Additionally, in-depth interviews were conducted to explore the specific context of interactions and communication processes between team members and coaching staff. The research subjects included 15 players and 2 coaching staff members from a high school soccer team that finished as the runner-up in the Gyeonggi Province High School Sports Club Soccer Tournament held from October 10 to October 16, 2024. To ensure the reliability of the study, all members of the same team participated in the survey. Results The findings indicate that effective intra-team communication enhances the effectiveness of strategic decision-making and tactical adjustments during matches, contributing to quick responses to unexpected situations and overall game management stability. Notably, teams with higher communication quality among members exhibited a clearer understanding of roles and a stronger sense of unity toward team goals. Additionally, clear communication and encouragement from coaching staff were identified as key factors positively influencing players' performance and team morale. Conclusions This study empirically analyzed the effects of intra-team communication frequency and quality on game management efficiency and performance improvement in high school soccer teams. Based on the findings, this study suggests the implementation of structured communication training programs, the establishment of a clear role allocation system, and the enhancement of continuous feedback and communication between coaching staff and players to improve the performance of school sports club teams.