An Investigation of the Views of Football Trainers Regarding Distance (Online) Mental Training

As the alternative and support to traditional face-to-face education, which requires being in the same place at the same time, distance (online) education practices, which enable to be at the same time but in different places, have become widespread. This research aimed to determine the views of the football trainers regarding distance mental training, the problems they experienced and their suggestions. The research was designed within the framework of qualitative research approach and was conducted using case study pattern. The study group of the research was composed of eight football trainers who were selected using convenience sampling method and volunteered to participated in the study. The trainers were made to participate in distance mental training for eight weeks, and then a semi-structured interview form with three open-ended questions was used as the data collection tool. The data collected at the end of the interviews were analyzed using the content analysis technique and presented with direct quotations. According to the views of the football trainers, the most positive aspects of distance mental training were; quality education, establishing effective communication, and seeing it as a different experience. The most fundamental problems of distance mental training were presented as; time and communication problems. The suggestions of the trainers regarding distance mental training were classified as; better planning, higher quality communication, and having an improved student understanding. It is thought that this study will be preliminary for further studies and will be an inspiration for the trainers who want to receive distance mental support.