Psychological Momentum within Competitive Soccer: Players' Perspectives

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to identify and examine perceptions of psychological momentum from the perspective of competing players in a team sport to provide applied implications for athletes, coaches, and sport psychology practitioners. Participants were five university soccer players who had played in the National British University Sports Association competition during the previous season. Data were collected via three phases of formal interviews, which were supplemented by a comprehensive member check (Lincoln & Guba, 1985). Furthermore, transcribed interviews were subjected to an inductive content analysis. Participants described a range of psychological momentum triggers and outcomes based on their experiences of positive and negative psychological momentum. Moreover, participants described strategies used to develop and maintain positive psychological momentum and strategies to overcome negative psychological momentum. Findings are discussed in relation to applied implications for athletes, coaches, and sport psychology consultants operating in team sport settings.