CRISIS-RELATED OBSERVATIONS IN COMPETITION - A CASE-STUDY IN BASKETBALL

This study presents a unique observational approach to basketball, bas ed on the theory of psychological performance crisis in competition. T he approach used takes into account the responses of a player's action s to significant social factors such as team-mates, spectators, the co ach and the referees. The contribution of this approach beyond traditi onal observational techniques is discussed. In our investigation, a si ngle case design was used, in which a professional basketball player w as observed during 10 home and 3 away games of the regular season. The relations between the observations and the crisis concept are discuss ed in detail. In addition, some relevant methodological and applied as pects are presented.