Improving active preparatory actions through the assessment of partner responses in the training of 12-13-year-old karate practitioners

The purpose of the study is to develop tools and methods for training active preparatory actions to improve the effectiveness of attacking, counterattacking, and defensive-responsive actions in the competitive practice of 12-13-year-old karate athletes. Research methods and organization. Pedagogical observations of the content of competitive activity were conducted using video recording tools, which eliminate any interference from researchers in the athletes' competitive activities. The study involved karate athletes aged 12–13. The experimental study included the use of video recordings and the processing of screenshots of the athletes’ performance of test tasks in both the experimental and control groups. At the end of the training season, the athletes underwent final testing, which was similar to the initial assessment. Research results and conclusions. The methodology for improving preparatory actions is aimed at achieving the fastest and most accurate assessment of an opponent's response. Training of active preparatory actions, based on evaluating the partner's (opponent's) responses, was conducted with the athletes of the experimental group during the main part of the session, following the practice of attacking techniques. The results obtained demonstrate a significant improvement in the time between the initiation of active preparatory actions and the partner's (opponent's) response, as well as in the timing of the initiator's attacking action in a combat encounter. The effectiveness of the experimental methodology aimed at enhancing active preparatory actions has been proven, and the necessity of its implementation in the training process at the instructional-training stage of sports preparation is substantiated.