Simon Stuffer

Psychokinetic in Teamsport

„Where is the ball? Where are my teammates? Where are the opponents? What’s the best pass?”
These are only few of the questions players have to answer all the times during a game and their answers must be immediate; therefore, we can say that team sports is characterized by a large number of combinations of movements with, and above all, without the ball, no matter if the team is attacking or defending. A modern training methodology must therefore take into consideration not only the effects (pass, shot, heading, etc.) which are the physical answers, but also the mental causes (mental formulation of the physical answer, creation of the physical process, and the verification of the previous experiences.)

Psychokinetic studies everything that advocates thoughts and movements. Psychokinetic exercises help athletes approach different movements thanks to artificial stimuli (sounds, sight or tactile) that are given to them. It is very important for soccer players and in general in all situational team sports. The stimulus provided by Psychokinetic exercises affect the attention of young players, improving their concentration, their fast processing and their overall technique.

Psychokinetic helps the athlete develop mental quickness as well as reactivity in game situations, through immediate feedback (Arias et al. 2016).

As strength and conditioning coaches, it is our job to make sure our athletes move and think quickly to get the best out of them in every possible situation.

In these two lessons, I will present several exercises (with and without ball), challenges and a few games, which will help the players to improve the psychokinetic abilities and skills. I will offer exercises, which can be included in normal P.E. lessons at all ages and, especially in the second lesson, put the attention on exercises and challenges which can be used in team sports.