Variáveis psicológicas associadas à performance no futebol Relação entre as perceções de competência, a ansiedade e o conhecimento tático de crianças e jovens

Abstract

Excellence in the context of soccer seems to depend heavily on a complex system of interconnected variables, including psychological factors relating to perceived competence (i.e. the sportsperson's perceived competence and the parents' reflected perception of competence), anxiety and tactical knowledge of how to play. Given this finding, we decided to carry out two exploratory studies. The first study aimed to find out what relationships exist between perceptions of competence and anxiety in youth soccer. 183 young male soccer players aged between 11 and 16 (14.2 ± 1.1) took part in the study. The second study aimed to understand the relationship between perceptions of competence, anxiety and tactical knowledge in youth soccer. This study involved 183 young male soccer players aged between 11 and 16 (14.2 ± 1.1). In order to achieve the objectives, information was collected on the perception of competence using a five-item questionnaire. As part of the perception of reflected competence, a version of the Parents' Perceptions Mirroirs was used. Data on anxiety was collected using a version of the Sport Anxiety Scale - 2 and a Cognitive Assessment of Competition Scale - Perception of Threat/Perception of Trait Challenge. Finally, information on tactical knowledge was obtained using a questionnaire adapted from the Tactical Skills Inventory for Sports - TACSIS. The data was then analyzed in SPSS, using correlation and regression statistics. The results of the first study allowed us to conclude that the sportsperson's perception of competence was related to low levels of anxiety. From the results of the second study, it was inferred that perceived competence was related to better levels of tactical knowledge of soccer. We conclude that it is important for sports agents and sports psychologists to promote positive feedback as a pedagogical teaching tool, to recognize achievements and to provide the necessary emotional support in order to strengthen players' perception of competence.