The effect of a psychological guidance program on competition anxiety among basketball training center players in Babylon

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to identifying the level of sports competition anxiety, and to identify the effect of the guidance program. Psychological research in reducing the level of sports competition anxiety among basketball players aged 12-14 years. The researchers used the experimental method to suit the nature of the research. The research community included basketball players at the Specialized Training Center in Babylon, Hamza Nouri Hall, affiliated with the Youth and Sports Directorate in Babylon, ages (14-16 years) for the season (2023-2024), and their number reached (25) players, namely they represent the entire research sample and community. One of the most important results reached by the researcher is that: The guidance sessions had a positive effect in reducing sports competition anxiety among the players in the research sample, and the self-confidence dimension outperformed the cognitive and physical anxiety dimensions among the research sample. One of the most important recommendations by the researchers is that: Using the guidance approach in the psychological preparation of players, and its subject matter is based on the psychological factors affecting some personal traits affecting the player’s ability to perform skillfully and tactically ,and paying attention to the psychological preparation process through the presence of a psychologist in the sports team.