The psychological preparation of school category rifle shooters: considerations about coaches

Abstract

Psychological preparation is a component of the sports training process that consists of developing the athlete's functional potential and qualities to the highest levels. This research is based on the scope of sports training as a pedagogical process in shooting sports. The objective of this scientific article was to determine the development of psychological skills in a sample of 10 coaches, providing guidance on how to address the shortcomings in the psychological preparation of rifle shooters aged 13-15 years old. This study was conducted at the "Héctor Ruíz Pérez" School of Sports Initiation in Villa Clara Province, due to the decline in sports performance in national competitions over the last four years. One of the causes of this decline is psychological preparation, and within it, the role of the coach. Using a mixed-methods research methodology, theoretical methods such as analytical-synthetic, inductive-deductive, and modeling were employed. The empirical methods used were: document analysis, surveys, interviews, observation, methodological triangulation, and expert opinion. A statistical-mathematical analysis was performed to process the data. The results revealed the current state of the psychological skills of the coaches studied and confirmed the need to develop methodological guidelines to improve their practice.