Validation of the Tactical Offensive Knowledge Test for Cerebral Palsy Football Players and Its Relationship with Contextual Variables

The aim of this study was to adapt and validate the Tactical Offensive Knowledge Test in Football (TCTOF) for athletes in cerebral palsy football (CP football) and examine associations with contextual variables. Ninety-three male players from Spain’s CP football First Division (29.1 ± 9.7 years) completed an adapted TCTOF after expert content review by five national-level CP coaches. Two offside-related items were removed to reflect CP football rules, yielding 35 declarative and 15 procedural items. Content validity was high (mean expert agreement = 89.9%; declarative = 87.3%, procedural = 92.6%). Internal consistency was excellent across dimensions and total score (Cronbach’s α = 0.89–0.94; McDonald’s ω = 0.90–0.95). In a random subsample (n = 17), test–retest analyses showed good temporal stability (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.73–0.82), with acceptable standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimal detectable change benchmarks. ANOVAs revealed no differences by years of experience, playing position, or functional sport class (FT1–FT3). Conversely, post hoc analysis revealed that international experience distinguished performance: players with current or previous national team involvement (U19 or absolute) scored significantly higher than those without such exposure (p < .001; Cohen’s d = 1.16). Overall, findings support the adapted TCTOF as a valid, reliable instrument for assessing offensive tactical knowledge in CP football. Moreover, competitive exposure at the international level—rather than chronological age, accumulated years of play, positional role, or functional class—was the salient contextual factor linked to greater tactical understanding in this population. These results highlight the value of quality competitive environments for developing tactical expertise and provide practitioners with an evidence-based tool for assessment and talent identification.