Analysis of Cognitive Structures on Rugby Football Positions of Japanese High School Rugby Players

Abstract

This study examines coaching methods in ball games. First. Multidimensional scaling (INDSCAL: Individual Differences Scaling) was applied to cognitive structures on rugby football positions of Japanese high school rugby players, because it has been suggested by proceeding studies that it is useful to apply Multidimensional scaling to cognitive structures on rugby football positions in order to examine coaching methods in ball games. Twenty-one Japanese players, all of whom selected as the men's national high school player, served as subjects. As a result of INDSCAL analysis, three dimensions, 1) formation, 2) scrum and lineout and 3) tactical decision-making, were idehtified. The comparison of these results with those of former studies indicates that the Japanese players and coaches adopt positions laying emphasis on the dimensions of formation, scrum-lineout and tactical decision-making.Second, the subject space from INDSCAL was analyzed by cluster analysis to examine the individual differences of the cognitive structures on rugby football positions. It was concluded that the players, all belonging to positions concerning with tactical decision-making, have well-balanced cognitive structures compared with the other positions' players. And the players' cognitive structures on rugby football positions are influenced by the qualitative difference of positions previously experienced.The knowledge gained from this study is very helpful in the coaching ball games, and suggests significant improvement in the method of coaching.