Functional Analysis and Behavioral Coaching Intervention to Improve Tackling Skills of a High School Football Athlete
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Functional analysis (FA) is an experimental methodology for identifying the behavior-reinforcing effects of social and non-social consequences. The data produced from a FA are used to select intervention procedures. In this case study, we conducted a FA with a male high school football athlete by manipulating social contingencies within practice tackling drills. The FA suggested that the highest percentage of correct tackling occurred when the participant was able to “escape” interaction with the coach following drills. After demonstrating that the participant had a low percentage of correct tackling during a baseline (preintervention) phase, the coach provided him delayed written performance feedback after practice. This intervention was associated with a higher percentage of correct tackling. The participant also tackled proficiently during a postintervention in-game assessment. The advantages of conducting a FA when intervening with athletes are discussed.
John V. Stokes is with the Institute for Behavioral Studies at Endicott College in Beverly MA. James K. Luiselli is a clinical psychologist and the Senior Vice President of Applied Research, Clinical Training, and Peer Review at May Institute, Randolph, MA.
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