A study on coaches of group sports

Analysis of cognitive structures on rugby football positions

Abstract

The cognitive structures on the 15 positons of rugby football by the coaches were analyzed by INDSCAL (Individual Differences Scaling). The coaches of WASEDA university rugby football club (N=17) served as subjects. The results of INDSCAL analysis were interpreted as follows: 1) dimentsion of formation, 2) dimension of tactics. It will be very important to take these dimensions into consideration in investigation of the positions of rugby football. Especially, the second dimension will require careful discussion in inquiry of coach guidance contents, because the second one will be more important in actual matches of rugby football.
In addition, the 17 coaches were divided into 3 clusters by the weights of INDSCAL subject space, applying hierarchical cluster analysis. These clusters were discussed by taking into consideration the coaches' positions that they had played as an active member of the team, their rugby careers and roles that should be carried out as members of the coaching staff, etc.
It was indicated that coaches' cognitive structures on rugby football positions would be influenced by their positions and roles within the coaching staff.