engleski

Qualitative Examination of Socio-Psychological Aspects Affecting Volleyball Setters Pre-Match Preparation

Volleyball setters are often metaphorically called “coach’s extended arm on the court“, which, along with specific motor skills and functional abilities, points out the need for specific psychological and social characteristics of players specialized for this position. The results obtained in this study are based on conducted semi-structured interviews with 10 setters from five Dalmatia’s volleyball women teams playing in the national first league. Study suggested the lack of psychological preparations elements in the regular training process. Psychological preparation is least represented in the competition micro-cycle, coaches do not devote enough time to prepare players for important matches, and they rarely separate setters’ preparation from the rest of the team. Therefore, setters are mainly oriented on self-preparation for important matches, using method of remembering tactical information about the opponent or using basic techniques of psychological preparation, such as visualization and self-talk, as well as depending on their teams cohesion and close interactions with other team members. However, in their assessment of readiness for important matches, the sense of confidence prevailed the sense of anxiety among interviewed setter, and they assessed their technical and tactical readiness as sufficient, but psychological readiness as mediocre.

socio-psychological aspects, volleyball, setter, pre-match, semi-structured interview

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