Background: Normative classifications facilitate the interpretation of tactical skill assessments by providing reference values for performance-related constructs. During adolescence, chronological age may not fully reflect developmental status, given substantial inter-individual variability in cognitive and perceptual maturation. Aim: To verify if there is an association between declarative tactical knowledge levels and age groups. Methods: This study complied with the Declaration of Helsinki (1975, revised in 2013) and was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (65204422.3.0000.5347). A total of 182 water polo players (16.7 ± 4.6 years) U14 (n = 47), U16 (n = 67), U18 (n = 34), U20 (n = 11), and Adult (n = 23) age categories participated in the study. Tactical skills were assessed using the water polo-specific version of the Tactical Skills Inventory for Sports (TACSIS). Based on previously established percentile cut-off points, players were classified into five normative categories: Learning, Developing, Good, Very Good, and Excellent. To verify the association between age categories and declarative tactical knowledge categories, a chi-square test (5 X 5) was applied, with alpha < 0.05. Results: A significant association was found between the variables (chi-square = 32.85; p = 0.008). That is, the older the individual, the higher the expected knowledge. Conclusions: In water polo, as players get older, they likely acquire more practical experience (matches and training) which leads to a greater mastery of tactical knowledge. Furthermore, normative classification appears to be appropriate when analyzing age groups.
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