Malaysian Professional University Soccer Players Performance Strategies Based on Different Positions of Play

The aim of the study is to examine possible differences in the use of performance strategies of Malaysian professional university soccer players and type of positions during play. The participants consists of 24 players from UiTM FC aged 20 to 27 years (M=23.04, SD= 1.88), with different positions (8 forwards; strikers and midfielders, 16 backs; defenders and goal keepers). The Test of Performance Strategies (TOPSThomas, Murphy, and Hardy, 1999) was used in this study. The participants completed the TOPS questionnaire during the competition season of 2013-14 sessions. The results showed that there were significant differences in performance strategies used by players in the forwards and backs positions during competitions. The present study shows that backs positions were better compared to forwards positions in goal setting, whereas forwards positions used emotional strategies more than backs positions. In order to help athletes improve their athletic performance, coaches and sports psychologists need to consider the different positions on the pitch as well as differences between player’s performance strategies.