The use of imagery by soccer players

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the motivational and cognitive use of imagery by soccer players of various skill levels. The instrument developed and employed in this study was the Imagery Use Questionnaire for Soccer Players (IUQ-SP). It was based on the original IUQ developed by Hall, Rodgers and Barr (1990) and, in part, on Paivio's (1985) framework of how imagery functions in motor skills. The items examined when players use imagery and whether or not it is used to assist with game strategies, individual skills, motivation levels and goal-oriented responses. The questionnaire was completed by 362 players at the national, provincial and local levels. The results from the questionnaire indicated that soccer players tended to use imagery more in conjunction with competition than training. Players also reported using imagery more for its motivation function than its cognitive function. In general, the elite athletes reported employing more imagery than non-elite athletes regardless of the function imagery served.