Using cognitive general imagery to improve soccer strategies

Abstract

Athletes use imagery for both cognitive and motivational functions (Paivio 1985) The cognitive function involves the rehearsal of skills (cognitive specific) and strategies of play (cognitive general). To date most of the imagery research has been concerned with skill rehearsal (cognitive specific), and there have been no controlled studies investigating the effects of cognitive general imagery on the learning and performance of game plans or strategies of play. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a cognitive general imagery intervention on three distinct soccer strategies in a young elite female soccer team. Participants were 13 competitive female soccer players with a mean age of 12.54 years. Imagery scores were determined via the Sport Imagery Questionnaire (SIQ; Hall, Mack, Paivio, & Hausenblas, 1998) prior to, during, and after the intervention. A staggered multiple baseline design across behaviors was used to evaluate the effect of imagery on three distinct soccer strategies (defending a direct free kick, taking a direct free kick, and defending a corner kick) which were introduced at weeks 2, 4 and 6. Results indicated that cognitive general and cognitive specific imagery use as well as motivational general-arousal imagery use significantly increased from baseline to post intervention. Based on the present study's findings, the execution of soccer strategies was not significantly enhanced with the implementation of a cognitive general intervention. Additional research should be conducted in order to reach clearer conclusions that will have implications for young athletes and their learning strategies.