From cognition to competition: enhancing indonesian football development through sports psychology

Cognitive aspects play a crucial role in football development, integration of cognitive training is an important strategy for coaches in developing players who can reach a professional level and stay at that level for a long time, so that young players can optimize their physical and mental potential in their development path. This study aims to analyze the role of cognitive training in football player development based on coach experience using the Evolved Grounded Theory (EGT) approach. This study focuses on developing a data-based theory obtained through semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analysis that allows for in-depth exploration of coaches' experiences in implementing cognitive training. A total of 10 coaches from Indonesia participated in this study with the criteria of a minimum of five years of experience and ownership of a coaching license. Ownership of a license is considered one of the important things in improving the quality of coaching and the welfare of football players in the development path. The data collected were then analyzed using a code through the Nvivo12 application. The results of this study found that intelligence, decision-making ability, willingness, goal setting, focus are cognitive aspects that must be possessed by football players in the development path in order to reach a professional level. The results of this study are expected to provide insight and recommendations for coaches in integrating cognitive training as a strategy for developing soccer players. Thus, this study contributes to building more effective coaching to produce young players who are ready to face the challenges of modern soccer.