Abstract
BACKGROUND: Football is characterized by rapidly changing and highly demanding competitive conditions in which players are frequently exposed to substantial psychological pressure. Athletes' psychological responses to these pressures can directly influence critical performance-related factors such as decision-making, tactical execution, and overall game performance. In modern football, physical and technical abilities alone are often insufficient for achieving high-level performance; psychological competencies have become increasingly important determinants of success. Consequently, the development and implementation of structured psychological training approaches have gained considerable attention in sports science research. In this context, Psychological Skills Intervention (PSI) programs are considered promising strategies for enhancing athletes' psychological capacities and optimizing their performance in competitive environments. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the effects of Psychological Skills Intervention (PSI) programs on football players' mental toughness, decision-making abilities, and tactical skills. METHODS: The study sample consisted of football players from the youth academies of professional football clubs competing in the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) Development Leagues during the 2025-2026 season. A total of 55 football players voluntarily participated in the study and were divided into a control group (n = 28) and an experimental group (n = 27). The control group followed the standard training program implemented by their teams. In contrast, the experimental group participated in an eight-week Psychological Skills Intervention (PSI) program in addition to the standard training program. The variables included in the study were assessed at three different time points. The data from the study were analyzed using SPSS 26. Repeated Measures ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc comparisons was conducted to examine within-group changes over time, while Independent Samples t-tests were used to evaluate differences between the control and experimental groups. RESULTS: Although improvements were observed in the mental toughness, decision-making, and tactical skills of U-19 footballers in the control group, statistically significant improvements were observed in the experimental group who participated in the PSI program. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that integrating Psychological Skills Intervention (PSI) programs as a systematic, integral component of training for footballers competing in development leagues can significantly enhance players' individual performance and career development as they progress through the competitive pathway. Furthermore, such programs may play a critical role in developing elite-level footballers capable of contributing to the long-term and sustainable success of national football.