Effect Of Wrestlers E x p e r i e n c e O n T h e C h o i

Abstract

In sports psychology, the problem of athletes coping with the stress caused by unsuccessful performance in competitions is one of the most pressing and has great practical significance. An exhaustive explanation of why athletes choose one or another coping strategy, and reliable recommendations how to choose strategies providing the most effective coping with stress, currently do not exist. Most of the studies devoted to the problem of coping strategies in sports are empirical. The purpose of this article is to identify differences in the ways of coping with the stress caused by an unsuccessful performance at competitions used by wrestlers with different experiences of competitive activities. The methodology used is based on the tests of "Coping with Difficult Life Situations SVF120", "Proactive Coping Behaviour" and "Psychological Reliability". The respondents were wrestlers-athletes who are students of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University different in their experience of competitive activities. The study made it possible to draw conclusions about the most frequent coping strategies used by experienced and inexperienced wrestles, to evaluate the differences identified, to substantiate the coach's opportunities and reserves in situations related to coping with the stress of unsuccessful performance. The results of the study are addressed to the sports psychologists and coaches training the wrestlers or students-athletes of other sportive specializations as well as to the athletes who care of their successful sportive carrier and psychological comfort.