The aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of the Old Way New Way technique in providing an efficient method of correcting performance errors when working with small groups of athletes. This technique, which originated from the verbal learning literature, has been previously shown to be successful in producing rapid and permanent change in sport-specific settings when working with individual athletes (1), and when working one-on-one with athletes while in a group setting (2). These results are a positive beginning to the application of the Old Way New Way technique to a sporting environment. The current study sought to test the generalisability of the technique, aiming to evaluate any change in performance after a single session in which the technique is applied in a group setting, and establish whether this change is maintained over time. Twentythree female volleyball players, ranging from 15-18 years of age, were involved in the study. The intervention was conducted with small groups of approximately 6-10 players. The performance error of focus was spiking technique. Participants were videotaped spiking on four occasions over a 5-week period, including baseline and three post-test measures. Expert judges scored the performances based on judging criteria developed for the study. Results showed that a significant change in technique occurred after the intervention was conducted, and that this change was sustained for the duration of the study. Methodological limitations and pathways for future research are also discussed.
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12th European Congress of Sport Psychology: Sport and Exercise Psychology Bridges Between Disciplines and Cultures, Halkidiki, Greece 4-9 September 2007
Relation
Proceedings of the 12th European Congress of Sport Psychology / Theodorakis, Yannis, Goudas, Marios, Papaioannou, Athanasios (eds): pp.170-173