STRATEGIES FOR EXTREME SELF-ORGANIZATION AMONG HANDBALL PLAYERS

Abstract

This study aims to conduct theoretical and empirical research into the strategies of extreme self- organization among handball players in competitive context. Methods: The research sample consisted of 34 athletes, aged 20–28 years (Мe = 22.00; М = 21.87; SD = ± 3.64), who had been actively involved in handball for 4–12 years and represented both women’s and men’s teams. Validated psycho-diagnostic tools, extensively tested in team sports research, were used. Additionally, purposeful non-participant observation was performed using standard protocols. Theoretical methods were employed to analyze, generalize, and explain the empirical results. Results: The research strategy included comparing the parameters of two attack lines, the first line (Group 1) and the second line (Group 2), to assess their extreme self-organization strategies. It was found that experienced handball players rely on perfectly practiced functional models of organization, focusing on permanent significant changes in spatio-temporal relations of a competitive situation. It was established that the dominant strategies are as follows: taking responsibility; self-control; problem-solving planning. It was found that the competitive strategy orientated towards social support is manifested moderately. The moderation is explained by the connection of the players’ game expectations with successful functional self-realization of teammates, rather than with the emotionally colored personal self-realization. It was established that the strategy of confrontation is statistically pronounced in the experienced handball players of the first line of attack. This preference was regarded as a consequence of the functionally determined and normatively provided close physical contact with the players of the team-competitor. It was highlighted that the excessive confrontational attitude of experienced players is compensated by distancing oneself from provoking circumstances. Discussion and conclusions. It was established that the strategies of handball players’ extreme self-organization are motivational-behavioral patterns, caused by stressogenic situations of a contest, the players’ role positions on the sports ground, external and internal factors of sporting activities and organizational-content features of handball competitions. It was substantiated that the strategies of extreme self-organization of the first and second lines of attack have regular different functional-content parameters. It was proved that the obtained results of the research into the strategies of extreme self-organization possess scientific novelty and are valuable for representatives of team sports.