Abstract:
The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of psychological skill training on team
cohesion, self-confidence and anxiety skills of U-17 male football project players at Haik city. In
Haik city there is only one football project so that the study focuses on this project. The project
has 30 players (ages 15- 16 years) and the researcher included all the project players as part of
the study. The psychological skill training program consisted of team building, goal setting, self
talk, pep-talk, imagery, relaxation, autogenic training, and progressive relaxation techniques.
For the quantitative part of the study Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ), the Trait Sport
Confidence Inventory (TSCI), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were given during the
pre-intervention, post-intervention, first, second and third follow-up tests. The study revealed
that the mean value of team cohesion improve from the pretest value of 2.23±1.25 to the 3rd
follow up value of 3.52±1.30 and self-confidence level increase from the pretest value of
2.28±1.11 to the Jrd follow up value of 3.68±1.23 and the anxiety level decrease from pre-test
value of 2.47±1.?0 to the thi~dfollow up value of 2.64±1.90.But the anxiety level of the players
did not show significant change. The main reason for the successful accomplishments of team
cohesion and self-confidence improvement after intervention of PST was adequate follow up and
adequacy of the training given. On the other hand the two weeks intervention given for the U-17
male-football~project players at Haik city on anxiety can't significantly decrease, the anxiety
level of players so that it must be given for prolonged time. Overall, it was concluded that the
psychological skill training program with U-17 football project affected athletes' team cohesion
and self-confidence levels positively but there was no significant effect on athletes' anxiety
levels.
