Developing tactical thinking in young kickboxers through movable games

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Salugin F.V.
Omsk State Medical University, Omsk
Omsk Armored Engineering Institute, Omsk

Spataeva M.Kh.
Military Institute of Physical Culture, St. Petersburg

Voloshina I.M.
Omsk State Medical University, Omsk

Keywords: young athletes, tactical thinking, active games, kickboxing, physical preparation, tactical training

Research objective

To identify the development of tactical thinking in young kickboxers through the use of active games, based on theoretical analysis.

Methodology and research organization

To study the development of tactical thinking in young kickboxers using active games, a method of analysis of scientific and methodological literature was applied.

Results and discussion

The development of tactical thinking in young athletes is a purposeful, guided process designed to achieve a specific training effect [1]. Analysis of scientific and methodological sources revealed that technical-tactical activity in kickboxing unfolds through three distinct phases:

  1. Perception – serves as situational orientation;
  2. Mental decision-making – the cognitive selection of an optimal tactical solution;
  3. Motor execution – the physical implementation of the chosen decision [1, 2].
Tactical thinking enables athletes to effectively resolve specific tactical challenges under conditions of time pressure and high psychological stress.
The integration of active games into the training process of young kickboxers serves as a highly effective means for the holistic development of physical qualities while simultaneously enhancing tactical thinking. These games promote cognitive flexibility, increasing the variability of situational responses and improving adaptability during dynamic combat scenarios.
 
The narrative structure inherent in active games stimulates imagination and reduces reaction time by simulating real-time decision-making under game-like pressure. This allows young athletes to internalize tactical patterns more efficiently than traditional drill-based methods.
Furthermore, active games provide opportunities for young athletes to create their own tactical scenarios, experiment with alternative movement trajectories, and adapt learned techniques in novel contexts—fostering creativity and independent problem-solving.
Conclusion

Based on the findings, it is concluded that when selecting tools for tactical training of young kickboxers, special attention should be given to the systematic use of active games during the initial stage of sports specialization to cultivate tactical thinking.

While the core objectives of physical preparation remain invariant across developmental stages, increasing the variability and contextual richness of tactical training activities significantly enhances the creative potential of young athletes. This approach encourages not only the mastery of established techniques but also their innovative application in unpredictable competitive environments.
 
References
  1. Gorlova, Yu.I. & Chernov, I.A. (2019) Osobennosti metodiki obucheniya tekhniko-takticheskim deystviyam v kickboksinge na etape nachal’noy spetsializatsii [Features of teaching technical-tactical actions in kickboxing at the initial stage of specialization], Nauka-2020, (3)(28), pp. 66–69.
  2. Salugin, F.V., Bolotin, A.E., Spataeva, M.Kh. & Tkachuk, A.N. (2025) Osobennosti razvitiya osnovnykh fizicheskikh kachestv yunykh kickbokserov na nachal’nom etape sportivnoy podgotovki [Features of developing basic physical qualities in young kickboxers at the initial stage of sports training], Fizicheskaya kultura: vospitaniye, obrazovaniye, trenirovka, 2, pp. 17–19.