Author(s): LI, C.1, JING, S.2, Institution: CHINA UNIVERSITY OF GEOSCIENCES (BEIJING), Country: CHINA, Abstract-ID: 291

The study on the influence mechanism of professional basketball players' free throws performance under high pressure situations
Abstract:
Free throws play a pivotal role in basketball games, especially when the scores are close or during crucial moments, often serving as the decisive factor in determining the outcome of the games. Due to the complexity and unpredictability of competitive games, the outcome of free throws under high pressure also contain uncertainties. Studying free throws under high pressure can help athletes better understand and manage this stress, thereby improving their free throw percentage in crucial moments. In the current study, 10 excellent WCBA female professional basketball players were selected as the research objects, and the deep semi-structured interview method was used to explore the perception, sources and influence of psychological pressure on free throws performance of female professional basketball players under high pressure situations. Sample collection was conducted through interviews, and ATLAS.ti 9 analysis software was used for coding, identifying six main themes: sources of stress, performance fluctuations, psychological skills, behavioral strategies, social support, and growth trajectories. The results show that: 1. Athletes' pressure comes from internal and external factors. 2. Mood swings with moderate stimulation or excessive inhibition have a significant impact on free throws performance. 3. By regulating psychological skills, athletes can focus their attention, stabilize their mental state, and regulate their emotions, establishing a positive mindset to cope with free throws under pressure. 4. Athletes, through specific habitual or ritualistic actions, can quickly get into the state and help alleviate stress. 5. Social support, such as coaching guidance and teammate interaction, plays a pivotal role in boosting athletes' confidence. 6. Athletes enhance their performance under high pressure free throw situations through growth in psychological, cognitive, and technical aspects. This study not only holds significant theoretical and practical implications for elite female basketball players' free throws under high pressure environments, but also, its findings can serve as a reference for athletes and coaches in other sports, thereby promoting the progress and development of the entire sports field.