On court wingwave® coaching improves accuracy and confidence in basketball athletes

Abstract The short-term oriented coaching method known as wingwave® (Besser-Siegmund Institute, Hamburg, Germany) has demonstrated efficacy in boosting individuals’ confidence related to future tasks, enhancing overall performance in sports motor tasks, and improving concentration abilities. Its procedure incorporates elements of eye movement and desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and adds a muscular strength test to reduce stress and anxiety for the athletes. In this study, amateurs and experts were observed performing a basketball-specific task. In two sets of 30 free throws, with a 1 h break between sets, 44 participants (aged 16–32), consisting of 22 experts and 22 novices in basketball, were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. The experimental group received one coaching session using the wingwave® method during the break. During coaching, specific emotional obstacles or blockades were identified and addressed using the wingwave® method by six qualified coaches. The findings reveal a statistically significant increase in accuracy, F (1.40) = 4.74, p = 0.036, η 2 = 0.106, Wilk’s Λ = 0.894, in free throws as well as a notable boost in task-specific confidence (i.e., subjective perception; F (1.40) = 4.21, p = 0.047, η 2 = 0.095, Wilk’s Λ = 0.905) in the experimental group compared to the control group. Based on these findings, it can be deduced that the wingwave® method holds promise as a valuable tool for mitigating stress and anxiety, while bolstering self-assurance and fostering confidence in one’s own capabilities within a defined sporting context.