Semenenko I. S., Kutskir M. S. Psychological and pedagogical support of an athlete during training and competitions in horting
Semenenko I.S., Ph.D., Associate Professor, Research Fellow of the Center for the Development of Sports and Physical Education of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine;
Kutskir M.S., President of the Transcarpathian Regional Federation of Combat Horting, Uzhgorod, coach-psychologist.
The article analyzes the main psychological, physiological and pedagogical aspects of the process of training and competitions in combat horting, as an object of complex coaching influence in order to bring the athlete to the highest level of training.
Keywords: combat horting, athletes, training, competitions, psychological training.
The idea of the emergence of combat horting as a comprehensive system of self-improvement of the individual, based on physical, moral-ethical and spiritual education, is associated with the revival of ancient folk traditions that were passed down from generation to generation. Between the campaigns, competitions in skill and self-defense were held in the Zaporozhian Sich, which allowed the Cossacks to improve practical skills. The system of training, character education, improvement of skill and acquisition of the competitive spirit of the Ukrainian Cossacks formed the basis of combat horting, as a sport born in Ukraine. The main goal of combat horting is to popularize and increase the role of physical culture and sports, patriotic education, attracting children and youth to a healthy lifestyle, distraction from bad habits, and education of the personality in the spirit of decency, patriotism and love for the Motherland.
Currently, combat horting is becoming an increasingly popular sport in Ukraine and abroad. Young people go to combat horting in order to develop both physical strength and strengthen their psychological state. The psychology of sport in general, and combat horting in particular, is very important and has been studied quite little today. Basically, the process of psychological support for athletes falls on the shoulders of coaches. However, not every coach is able to ensure the full psychological development of an athlete in terms of his preparation for competitions and after their completion. A professional psychologist, especially one with experience in the field of sports, will be able to implement full-fledged training of a combat horting athlete for physical exertion, which will constantly increase, will help in difficult situations that arise both during training and during competitions, and will also help the athlete gain the most important thing - psychological stability during the fight and after its completion.
Statement of the question. The issues of the process of training both the physical and psychological properties of an athlete in the period before the competitions, and during them, are extremely relevant and require constant improvement. Considering that combat horting is not only a sport, but also patriotic education and a deep national philosophy, the task of the study is to describe the complex impact on the athlete during the preparatory period for the competition in order to bring the athlete to a higher level of training, and the features after the competitive period.
Analysis of recent studies and publications. The topic of the development of combat horting as a sport has been covered in their works by many authors, which is explained by the national nature of the development of this sport. Among the domestic authors who wrote about combat horting in their studies, the most famous are E. A. Eremenko, Z. M. Dikhtyarenko, V. S. Shevchuk, S. A. Baburnych and others.
The purpose of the study is to analyze the psychological and physiological qualities of the athlete during training and at the time of the combat horting competition as an object of complex influence from the coach in order to bring the athlete to an optimal level of training.
Research results. Psychological training of a combat horting athlete is a complexly organized whole of education. It has its own structure and is differentiated into a number of levels, each of which has its own methods of work, moves according to its own laws, requires the use of its own means and methods of research and action. Systematically analyzing and based on the content of the development of training, the following levels can be distinguished in psychological training: psychophysiological, psychological, and socio-psychological. Each of them has its own laws, which find their own order in sports and at the same time do not fully enter sports activities with their complex problems and scientific apparatus. It is important that the relevant scientific disciplines, "serving" these levels, have their own vision, their own point of view on sports activities. So, the socio-psychological level indicates such an “object” as a competition, where there is a confrontation of two tactics, techniques and forces, but the object of research and action for the psychologist here is actually not only the athlete but also the team. Therefore, the subject is the relationship in the team, the team’s actions on the development of the individual, its formation, as well as the influence of the individual and his role in the team as a collective, the formation of the individual and the sports collective. The psychological level indicates the athlete’s relationship to himself, revealing the layer of properties, the quality of the athlete, which ensure his ability to carry out activities. Here, the subject is not only knowledge and skills, abilities and habits, not only mental processes and functions, but also such constituent phenomena as self-awareness, self-esteem, worldview and consciousness of the individual in relation to himself as a human person of the athlete. The psychophysiological level indicates the attitude of the combat horting athlete to the capabilities of his body as an anatomical-physiological given. With such differentiation of psychological training, it is possible to implement not only the complexity of education, but also to implement systematicity in training, since the athlete will be “covered” in all its manifestations. Psychological training “covers” three levels: team, personal and individual characteristics. These levels are related to the characteristics of the organism. Therefore, the emphasis of modern research is shifting towards the person of a person - an athlete as the highest authority for managing not only mental processes, but also psycho-physiological functions. It is clear that the processes of learning, management, organization and formation within the framework of training and training cycle proceed more effectively if they are mediated by the athlete’s personality.
Therefore, the disclosure of the structure of the person, its specific experimental content and practical limitation (direction) should constitute the main content of the works. The organization and design of the sports process, as well as activities related to the management and formation of an athlete, cannot be carried out without a certain theoretical representation, which must be in a certain logical, and therefore practical, correspondence with the main task, the task of training a combat horting athlete. Analysis of existing ideas about the structure of a person allows us to distinguish three levels at which a person realizes himself. At the same time, we exclude the “biologically determined” level on the grounds that this level refers to a person in general and is only a condition, a prerequisite for the formation of the mental structures of a person. Thus, in a person, taken as a whole, there are also interconnected parties (which structurally correspond to training), their own levels, which are in hierarchical interdependence with each other. In order not to complicate terminology, we will also designate them: psychophysiological, mental and socio-psychological. The first of them is the "basis" (the basis of personality formation) - this is the perceptual-motor sphere. The second level includes individual mental processes. The third includes higher manifestations of personality, such as worldview and orientation.
The development of physical qualities, mastering the techniques and tactics of combat horting, material and technical support and many other factors of an athlete's training, ultimately, find their expression in the competitive result. At the same time, competitions not only summarize the previous preparation, but are themselves a fairly effective means of the athlete's mental development. Sports competitions significantly affect the development of an athlete's motivation. Prizes, sports titles, the implementation of training efforts, self-affirmation and other incentives affect the formation and dynamics of the personality. Objective competitive situations are at the same time a way to achieve the goal, thanks to which motivation acquires a more specific, targeted competitive meaning. The formation of competitiveness as a whole group of motives that encourage a person to participate, or not to participate, in competitions and strive for victory is an important aspect of an athlete's training. It has been proven that successful performance in competitions depends not only on a high level of physical, technical and tactical fitness of an athlete, but also on his psychological readiness.
Indeed, in order to fully realize their physical, technical and tactical abilities, skills and abilities, and in addition, to reveal reserve capabilities as a mandatory element of the competition, an athlete needs to psychologically prepare for certain conditions of sports activity. In sports competitions in combat horting, quite responsible, sometimes life-threatening and health-threatening extreme situations often arise, which force athletes to act at the limit of their own capabilities. The psychological characteristics of the competitions, the patterns, causes and dynamics of the pre-competitive state determine high requirements for the athlete's psyche. Everything that has been worked out and accumulated in the process of training and training for months or years can be lost in a matter of minutes, and sometimes seconds before the start or during the fight. Therefore, it should be remembered that the psychological preparation of an athlete for competitions is an important and mandatory element of training and training in combat horting. The psyche, consciousness and personal qualities of a person are not only revealed, but also formed in competitive activities. Competitive activity is a special type of human activity that can be carried out only under certain conditions: Naturally, the best school of psychological training is the athlete's participation in competitions. Competitive experience in sports is the most important element of the athlete's reliability. But each competition is also a discharge of the accumulated neuro-psychic potential and is often the cause of significant physical and spiritual injuries.
In addition, participation in competitions is always obtaining certain results, summing up a specific stage in improving the athlete's sports skills, which he has accumulated while engaged in combat horting. Sports competition is one of the generally accepted forms of socialization of children in the world, a powerful factor in preparing a person for success in modern society. Therefore, the organization of psychological preparation for competitions should be aimed at forming the properties and qualities of the personality and mental states, which always determine the success and stability of competitive activity. Its goal should be considered adaptation to competitive situations, improvement and optimization of the reactivity of reflection and in response to specific extreme conditions of activity. In sports, there is a concept of "classification of competitions", which involves their division by type: championships, championships, cup competitions, classification, qualifying, preliminary, etc. The level of competitions significantly affects the psyche of the athlete, which, in turn, requires a certain degree of psychological readiness. Therefore, in practice, two types of psychological preparation of athletes for competitions are carried out: general and special for a specific competition. General psychological preparation is closely related to educational and ideological work with athletes. This especially applies to the formation of ideological convictions, the upbringing of personality traits.
The psychological training program should include measures aimed at the formation of a sports character. Sports character is an important element of successful performance in competitions, where it is truly manifested and consolidated. But it is formed in the training process.
The main criteria of a sporting character:
- stability of performances at competitions;
- improvement of results from competition to competition;
- higher results during the competition period compared to training;
- better results than in the previous performance.
The psychological readiness of a combat horting athlete for competitions is determined by: calmness, that is, the athlete's composure in extreme situations, which is a characteristic feature of his attitude to the environment, to the conditions of activity; the athlete's self-confidence, in his own abilities as one of the sides of the attitude towards himself, which ensures activity, reliability of actions. The athlete's fighting spirit is quite important and takes the first place. As well as the attitude to the process and result of activity, the fighting spirit provides the desire for victory, that is, to achieve the competitive goal, which contributes to the disclosure of reserve capabilities. The unity of these traits of a sporting character determines the state of calm combat confidence. The process of education in the structure of general psychological training of athletes The general principle of the methodology of psychological training of an athlete is the influence on both consciousness and the subconscious. Methods and psychological measures should be used taking into account the levels of influence on the human body and behavior. The combat horting coach should conduct conversations aimed at the psychological education of athletes, the content of which should include: explanation of the features of mental states characteristic of sports; teaching specific techniques, behavioral acts, etc. It should be remembered that the main method of influencing the athlete's consciousness is persuasion. The complex use of these methods improves the athlete's self-regulation system. In the future (during the competition period), this facilitates the work of self-regulatory mechanisms of consciousness, as the negative influence of the subconscious is reduced.
The education process will be ineffective if the athlete does not engage in self-education. Encouraging self-education is carried out through teaching self-regulation techniques. Some of the techniques are very simple. They simply need to be remembered and applied at the right moment. These methods of self-regulation are called disconnection and switching. The regulatory function here is performed by the images of the reflected object and the attitude towards them that have developed in the athlete. The effectiveness of reducing tension will be the higher, the more attractive the object of observation. The purpose of disconnection and switching is for the athlete to maintain a directed consciousness in a channel far from the traumatic situation for a long time. In this case, the methods of self-regulation are based on the athlete's reflection of the inner world. There are methods of self-regulation associated with the reflection of his physical "I". They are most saturated with special techniques, among which the main ones are: control and regulation of the tone of facial muscles. This technique requires special training. The greatest effect is achieved if, in the process of mastering this technique, the athlete checks and consolidates it in various life situations. The main criteria for mastering this technique of self-regulation is the ability to feel your face in the form of a mask, the absence of muscle tension. Control and regulation of the muscular system of athletes. Mental tension always causes its excessive tension. Training in muscle relaxation is carried out using verbal self-commands, self-confidence, which contribute to the concentration of consciousness on certain muscle groups.
Control and regulation of the pace of movements and speech: emotional tension, along with muscle stiffness, is expressed in an increase in the usual pace of movements and speech, while the athlete begins to fuss, rush. In this case, managing one's condition is reduced to the desire to get rid of fussiness, establish a clear rhythm of one's activities, eliminate the need for haste. Special breathing exercises. Calm, even and deep breathing helps reduce tension. Learned and well-established rhythmic breathing is a highly effective way of self-regulation of emotional tension. Discharge. This technique provides an "outlet" of emotional tension. As a method of self-regulation, discharge is usually implemented in specific forms of warm-up, performing a certain exercise at full strength.
The most effective methods of self-regulation associated with the reflection of one's spiritual "I" are the direction of consciousness towards oneself. They are characterized by a variety of techniques. Distraction through plot ideas. Being able to recreate and retain in the mind pictures of the past, associated with a sense of calm and confidence, is very important for self-regulation of emotional states. Autosuggestion: in the process of sports activity, an athlete can give himself instructions, orders, address himself with a request, etc. The basis of this method of self-regulation is the principle of using verbal formulas.
Self-persuasion is a kind of psychotherapy, when self-regulation is carried out in conversations with oneself or with someone else [4,73]. This goal regulation is very important. This is the ability to set a goal in time in exact accordance with one's capabilities, to postpone it in a state of emotional tension, and then to actualize it again when the time comes, which is available only to an athlete with many years of sports experience and significant experience of performances at combat horting competitions.
Effective assistance in the implementation of the psychological preparation of athletes for competitions is provided by such a technique as the use of special exercises in the training process, which allow them to gradually get used to competitive conditions. Indeed, the most effective way to psychologically prepare an athlete for successful performance in competitions is to participate in competitions. In order to solve this controversial problem, it is necessary to implement competitive conditions in the educational and training process. It is known that competitive exercises are quite often and effectively used by coaches during the preparation of athletes: both when carrying out technical and physical training, and when transferring special knowledge. There are methods of training and training athletes in order to prepare them to perform holistic competitive activities.
In addition, it is necessary to use the following methods of psychological preparation of athletes for combat horting competitions:
- collection of sufficient and reliable information about the conditions of the upcoming competition and especially about opponents;
- replenishment and clarification of information about the fitness, capabilities of the athlete or team before the start of the competition;
- correct definition and formulation of the purpose of participation in the competition;
- formation of socially significant motives for performing in the competition;
- probable programming of competitive activity;
- special preparation for meeting with competitive obstacles of varying degrees of difficulty (especially unexpected ones) and practice in overcoming them;
- prediction of methods of self-regulation of possible adverse internal states;
- selection and use of methods of preserving neuropsychic freshness before the start of the competition, its restoration during the competition.
The authors considered only some aspects of this preparation. Before the competition, complex changes occur in the athlete's body, 3 main forms of pre-start reactions are distinguished:
- readiness to fight;
- starting fever;
- starting apathy - inhibition.
Physiological indicators: strong excitement, acute vegetative changes - significant increase in pulse, sweating, urge to urinate, trembling, feeling of weakness in the lower extremities.
Mental indicators:
- slight excitement, impatient anticipation of the competition, optimal ability to concentrate, self-control in behavior, feeling of strength;
- strong nervousness, uncontrolled movements, inattention, forgetfulness, uncertain behavior, haste, unreasonable fussiness;
- lethargy, slowness, timidity, mood decline, desire to give up the competition, fatigue, inability to start work.
The athlete's activity may be partially disorganized: he fights "without thinking", loses the tactical line, sense of pace, prematurely exhales; does not have motor coordination, with high technical requirements, errors multiply; severe stiffness does not lead to an energetic fight, the mood of will quickly drops, the athlete is unable to mobilize strength; after the competition, an unspent reserve of strength remains, since all actions were performed at an insufficiently high quality level.
The athlete must know that competitive fever and the symptoms associated with it will take over him. The coach, as a rule, seeks to have a positive influence on the formation of the pre-start reaction, resorting to various measures in the last days and immediately before the competition.
The early pre-start state begins from the moment the athlete is notified of his participation in this competition. Signs of excitement appear depending on the importance of the start. Even the thought of a competition causes the heart rate to increase, insomnia may occur, appetite may decrease, and a sharp reaction to friends' jokes may occur. An athlete should not constantly think about the competition. Training in the last days should be interesting, aimed at making the athlete believe in his or her own strength. Distractions, such as exciting literature and a favorite activity, are of great importance.
The pre-start state occurs in connection with the immediate preparation for the competition on the road and upon arrival at the venue. The starting excitement begins from the moment of the start and can reach its peak when the athlete goes out on the greyhound.
The regulation of the pre-start state is facilitated by a warm-up. Athletes with a strongly pronounced "pre-start fever" should warm up calmly; a sharp warm-up is necessary for those prone to apathy.
An athlete who knows the symptoms of “pre-start fever” can pull himself together and achieve improved results through autosuggestion: “I am well trained, the results of the last competitions are good, my receptivity will increase due to a little excitement.” Such autosuggestion is achieved relatively simply.
The final stage of all psychological preparation for competitions is direct preparation for the performance of competitive exercises that are held in the form of competitions in a certain sports team, that is, intra-group competitions, which are characterized by the following elements of psychological tension: sports competition, the desire of each athlete to win, competitive spirit, the desire to show high sports results, etc. Very useful are friendly meetings that are held in the form of competitions in a certain sports group with the invitation of athletes from other sports teams - inter-group competitions, in the presence of other people and with compliance with all rules and rituals in order to ensure the high significance of the event for athletes-participants in combat horting.
It is important to conduct psychophysical exercises that are characterized by the performance of certain tactical tasks in the presence of physical exertion and contribute to the development and improvement of not only the athlete's adaptive capabilities to extreme conditions, but also the upbringing of her strong-willed and physical qualities.
The use of psychophysical exercises requires:
- setting and solving specific tactical tasks;
- the presence of physical exertion in the form of a "fight with several opponents" to solve a psychological task.
The basis of psychotechnical exercises is the performance of certain psychological tasks in conditions of maximum accuracy of technical actions of a competitive nature.
The implementation of these exercises requires:
- setting and solving psychological tasks that are quite complex depending on the athlete's skill level;
- the use of basic technical competitive actions to solve the task.
For example, an athlete must, at the coach's signal, perform a certain blow or a series of blows, and both the athlete's reaction speed to the coach's signal and the speed and accuracy of technical actions are assessed. Or a combat horting athlete must deliver the maximum number of blows in 10 seconds, and the technical execution, number and strength of blows will be evaluated.
The main actions during the competition are organized, coordinated with the tactical plan of inclusion in the competition, clear orientation, clear control of the situation, all forces are tactically correctly put into action, so that the expected competitive result is achieved or exceeded. A combat horting coach must have professional experience in order to psychologically prepare the athlete for the competitive process in combat horting, only thanks to the complex influence, both psychological and physiological, the coach and athlete are able to achieve the specified goal.
Conclusions
The idea of the emergence of combat horting as a comprehensive system of self-improvement of the individual, based on physical, moral-ethical and spiritual education, is associated with the revival of ancient folk traditions that were passed down from generation to generation. In the period between campaigns to the Sich, competitions in skill and self-defense skills were held, which allowed the Cossacks to improve practical skills. The system of training, character education, improvement of skill and acquisition of the competitive spirit of the Ukrainian Cossacks formed the basis of combat horting as a sport born in Ukraine. The main goal of combat horting is the popularization and enhancement of the role of physical culture and sports, patriotic education, attracting children and youth to a healthy lifestyle, distraction from bad habits, education of the individual in the spirit of decency, patriotism and love for the Motherland. The issues of the process of preparing both the physical and psychological properties of an athlete in the period before the competition, and during them, are extremely relevant and require constant improvement. Considering that combat horting is not only a sport, but also patriotic education and a deep national philosophy, only a professional psychologist, especially one with experience in the field of sports, will be able to implement full-fledged preparation of an athlete for physical exertion, which will constantly increase, will help in difficult situations that arise both during training and during competitions, and will also help the athlete gain the most important thing - psychological stability during the fight and after it ends.