An interpretative phenomenological analysis of performance influencing factors within the practice environment

An individual’s perception of their competitive environment can shape their psychological experience and influence their performance. Influences from competitive performance environments have received considerably more research attention than the performance influences that might occur from practice environments. This fact is curious as athletes tend to spend far more time practising than competing. The aim of this study was to undertake a rich exploration of the psychological influencing factors experienced by basketball players in the practice environment using an idiographic approach to provide a deeper understanding of participant experience. Participants were five male English basketball players (mean age = 18 years) competing in the Elite Academy Basketball League and enrolled in full-time education. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Nine superordinate themes were constructed from data analysis, which included: player perceptions of the coach, relationships between teammates, emotional and behavioural perception, negative experiences leading to enhanced motivation, performance expectations before and during practice activities, philosophy towards the success of the team, current physical state, goal focus within the practice environment, and responsibility positions during practice activities. The results from this study suggest that psychological factors influencing performance may differ between practice and competition environments. The reported factors that appear to be specific to the practice environment, which have received little representation within previous competition-based research include: negative experiences leading to positive performance outcomes, intra-team competition and goal orientations, and performance expectations. Practitioners and researchers may wish to consider the practice environment independently from competitive performance environments. Several applied implications are also offered.