Aspects of psychological skills in judo players: Study from in practice forms and methods to focus on judo players

Abstract

The term “psychological skills” used in the previous study refers to the psychological abilities that are necessary for athletes to perform well in competitions. The purpose of this study was to examine the aspects of psychological skills that come from the practice forms and methods valued by judo players’ in their daily practice routines.
The subject of the survey were 369 judo players (gender: male = 253, female = 116, age: junior high school = 95, high school = 90, college = 89, adult = 95). Data was collected during October and November 2013 psychological skills evaluation scale that had been developed for judo players. This scale is composed of four factors (“tactical thinking ability”, “volition for practice”, “reception of others”, and “support of others”) and 23 items. In order to examine the aspects of judo players’ psychological skills, variance analysis was carried out on the data obtained from this study.
Regarding the results of the investigation of practice forms (basic practice and applied practice, both practices) valued by judo players, those that valued both types of practice, not either basic or applied, possessed better psychological skills. In addition, for each type of practice forms, different psychological were acquired by the judo players.
Regarding the practice methods (tachi-waza, ne-waza, both methods) valued by the judo players, it was clear that it had a favorable effect on their psychological skills if the judo players the judo players valued both types of method, not either tachi-waza or ne-waza. In addition, according to each practice method, the skills that the judo players acquired are different. In conclusion, according to the difference in the practice forms or methods that judo players’ value, significant differences were found in the psychological skills that they possess.