Attention allocation in elite football refereeing: conceptual, empirical, and applied considerations

Figures & data

Figure 1. Attention allocation in elite football refereeing under regular match conditions.

Note: The match is played under regular conditions; the home team is leading 1:0 in the first half. The referee is executing the habitual behaviours relatively automatically, preserving much attention to effective shifting between external and internal focus. The referee (R) is positioned close to the match play and is able to make accurate decisions.

Figure 2. Attention allocation in elite football refereeing under highly demanding match conditions.

Note: The match is played under highly demanding conditions; the away team is leading 0:1 in the second half and the home team is playing with 10 players after a VAR intervention and a decision of a red card was made. The referee’s attention to habitual behaviours is larger at the expense of the external and internal focus. Thus, the referee (R) is positioned far from the match play and misses the foul infringement and potentially a yellow card.