Pilot study on players’ and coaches’ motor and psychological responses during competition to the proposed mini-beach handball rules

Abstract

A proposal for a mini-beach handball regulation has recently been put forward to adapt the adult game to children up to 11 years of age. The aim of the study was to find out the motor and psychological responses of players and coaches after training and playing with the proposed mini-beach handball rules. Thirty-five players (16 boys and 19 girls, age: 8-11 years, M = 10.06, SD = 0.91) and five coaches (4 males and 1 female) participated. The study followed a mixed methods approach, quantitative and qualitative. The design was quasi-experimental with post-test measures. The intervention consisted of three procedures: (a) the presentation of the regulation to the coaches, (b) to train taking advantage of the new regulations, (c) to compete in a mini-beach handball tournament. Quantitatively, the dependent variables were motor and psychological. Qualitatively, participants were asked about their experiences training and playing with the new rules. High values were obtained in terms of equality in participation, roles played, appropriate decisions in passing, turning and shoot-outs, perceived competence, enjoyment, and intention to practice in the future. In conclusion, the proposed rules for mini-beach handball seem to be adapted for participants in the present study (up to 11 years of age), given that, in general, it favoured equal participation of players, without specialising in one role, equity between boys and girls, appropriate decisions and adherence to the activity.