Improving the performance environment of a soccer team during a competitive season: An exploratory action research study

The aim of the current study was to facilitate systematic reflection and action to improve the performance environment of a soccer team during a competitive season. Using the Performance Environment Survey (PES; Pain & Harwood, 2007) as a diagnostic instrument, the researcher worked with the coach to collaboratively identify areas in which team preparation and functioning could be improved. Completed by the players and coach after each match, the PES captured feedback around team preparation and performance in the physical, psychological, coaching, social, planning/organizational and environmental domains. Analysis of this feedback provided the stimulus for weekly discussions with the coach. Results suggested that coach and player reflection increased during the study, and the coach reported that the PES data and his reflections on that data were beneficial to managing the performance environment. In areas where change was targeted—in particular the social and the physical domains—improvements in team functioning were reported. Team feedback meetings were also perceived as helpful to improving player ownership and cohesiveness.
© Copyright 2012 The Sport Psychologist. Human Kinetics. All rights reserved.

Bibliographic Details
Subjects:
Notations:social sciences sport games
Published in:The Sport Psychologist
Language:English
Published: 2012
Online Access:http://journals.humankinetics.com/tsp-back-issues/tsp-volume-26-issue-3-september/improving-the-performance-environment-of-a-soccer-team-during-a-competitive-season-an-exploratory-action-research-study
Volume:26
Issue:3
Pages:390-411
Document types:electronical journal
Level:advanced