Psychological skill training needs across football roles: Mental skill questionnaire based assessment of forwards, midfielders and defenders

The present study examined position-specific psychological characteristics of Under-19 male football players across three playing positions: forwards, midfielders, and defenders. A total of 210 players participated in the study and were assessed using the Mental Skills Questionnaire developed by Bull, Albinson, and Shambrook. The questionnaire evaluates multiple psychological components; however, for the purpose of this investigation, key variables— imagery ability, mental preparation, self-confidence, and concentration—were selected for analysis.Statistical analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA, followed by the Least Significant Difference (LSD) post hoc test to determine specific group differences. The results revealed significant position-wise variations in certain psychological traits. Forwards and defenders demonstrated significantly higher imagery ability compared to midfielders, which may be attributed to their strategic involvement in both attacking and defensive situations. Additionally, forwards exhibited significantly higher levels of self-confidence than players in other positions. In contrast, no significant differences were observed among playing positions for the variables of mental preparation and concentration.Overall, the findings indicate that psychological profiles vary according to playing position in football, reflecting the distinct demands of each role on the field. These results emphasize the importance of position-specific psychological training programs to enhance individual performance and overall team effectiveness. Furthermore, the study supports the inclusion of psychological profiling as a valuable component of talent identification and long-term athlete development in football.