Mind over goal: mental training boosts shooting accuracy in teen footballers
NCT ID NCT07161934
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether guided imagery training—where athletes mentally practice movements—can improve shooting accuracy and psychological skills in adolescent football players. Thirty-two boys aged 12 to 14 were randomly assigned to either receive 15 minutes of guided imagery after each regular practice or just standard training, three times a week for 12 weeks. The researchers measured shooting accuracy at 10 and 15 meters and used a questionnaire to assess imagery ability.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- guided imagery training (mental practice)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple, low-cost mental training method to help young athletes improve their shooting accuracy and psychological skills.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study with only 32 participants, so results may not apply to all athletes. The improvement might be small or not last long.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Yozgat Municipality Bozok Sports Club
Yozgat, Konya, 66100, Turkey (Türkiye)
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