Psychological selection in game sports on the basketball example

Abstract

Purpose: to form an algorithm and to identify the criteria for psychological selection in basketball. Material and Methods: In the research 144 athletes (gender – men; age – 16 years old) took part. Among them18were selected as candidates for the Ukrainian cadet basketball teamusing methods for assessing individual technical and tactical mastery (modified formula by M. Malikov) and psychological characteristics (assessment of the level of psycho-physiological stress, self-esteem, leading sensory system, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, Bem Sex-Role Inventory).Results: For the first time, an integrated approach based on the assessment of the technical and tactical skills of basketball players in combination with the psychological selection was used for selectionthe candidates for the Ukrainian cadet team. From the 144 athletes, who participated in the Ukrainian Championship, 36 players were selected based on the level of technical and tactical skills. According to the results of the psychological tests main characteristics of basketball players were defended and recommendations for coaches were given. As a result, 18 players, who were selected using psychological methods, had better technical and tactical mastery. They took part in the training process for preparation for the main competitions of the year (European Championship).Conclusions: According to the results of research, an algorithm of selection including technical and tactical assessment andpsychological criteriahas has been formed to increase the efficiency of the basketball players’ selection. Such type of mixed selection allows not just chose perspectivecandidates for the national team, but also increase the effectiveness of training process through giving practical recommendations for coaches about better positions of a player and psychological approaches in the training process.