Intellectual teaching - an effective way to train young footballers

Abstract

Introduction. Learning the physical (technical) activity in the colloquial training of young football players is usually carried out by directly feeling the movement, that is through specific "kinesthetic instructions" (muscular-motor). Nevertheless, in order for the process of shaping the movement to take place more effectively (creating motor imaginings), it is important to provide specialist knowledge in so-called intellectual training. Research aim and research questions.The study is of utilitarian nature, because the main research goals set, aim at modifying the current concept of teaching methodology in sports games on the example of football, which is related to the visibility of the role of knowledge about the activities being taught and activities in the game. Confirmations of this thesis were sought at institutions training young gifted players (football adepts). The following research questions were posed: 1. Does the knowledge about the player's physical activities influence the effectiveness of learning special techniques? 2. Will the mental teaching (intellectualization) have a positive effect on the effectiveness of the (technical) movement? Materials and methods. Continuous research was conducted on an annual basis (in 2011-2015) among students of the Football Sporting School in Kraków. The surveyed pupils were a group of senior footballes - the age of the respondents aged 14-15. Forty-eight young players participated in continuous research, divided into 2 subgroups in an organised selection: experimental (E) and control (K), each with 24 players. The experimental group participated in the experimental training session once a week; and theoretical as well as practical classes, lasting 90 minutes. These classes, based on mental teaching in global terms, were characterised by a much lower intensity and volume of practical classes, but a greater mentalisation of training compared to the control group. Results. Analysis of research results confirmed the importance of intellectual training. The experimental group, in relation to the control group, had higher values in the level of specialist knowledge, technical skills and, above all, higher parameters for the simulated game.