Abstract:

Abuse in sport talent development, often involving psychological pressure or coercive communication, has serious effects on young athletes’ mental health. Such issues may arise during team meetings before or after practice, where coaches require skills to facilitate discussions safely. However, many lack specialized training, and psychological professionals are not always available; thus, systems that promote constructive and safe communication are needed. In school counseling, the Solution-Focused Team Meeting Method (SFTMM), developed by Setsuko Sato, has proven effective for collaborative problem-solving. Traditionally conducted face-to-face using a whiteboard, SFTMM has shown positive results and is now expanding. This study adapted the SFTMM model for sports contexts and developed an online prototype—A-SFTMM Online—to facilitate meetings that ensure psychological safety even without in-person professional support.

This study aims to conduct an initial appraisal of the usability and feasibility of the A-SFTMM Online prototype and to identify areas for improvement. The system includes solution-focused navigation, a collaborative digital whiteboard, and time-management tools designed to support facilitators. Six experienced practitioners (teachers and school counselors from four prefectures in Japan) participated online to test the system in three phases:
(1) explanation,
(2) simulated meeting using a fictional case, and
(3) reflection and feedback.

This study involved no physical or psychological intervention; the six collaborators participated as co-developers, and acknowledgments will be provided in the final publication. As an initial study with a small sample size, this study focuses on the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of an online solution-focused team meeting system; thus, the findings are exploratory and not intended for generalization. The 70-minute session, including a 23-minute simulated meeting, was conducted via Zoom, recorded with consent, and transcribed for analysis.

In this study, feasibility was examined based on two criteria:
(1) whether the planned meeting steps could be completed as designed, and
(2) whether the time-management function supported smooth facilitation. Effectiveness (usability) was examined based on whether participants provided concrete feedback regarding system operability and areas for improvement.

Participants successfully completed all meeting steps developed by Sato. The meeting produced two continued and three new strategies. The built-in timer supported facilitation, although minor issues were noted regarding IT environment stability and screen display during text input. Suggested improvements include enhancing system stability, user experience, and backup procedures.

In conclusion, the use of A-SFTMM Online was feasible for use by educational practitioners. Further technical refinement and user experience enhancement are required to ensure stable operation. This study is an initial investigation with a small sample and does not include validation by athletes or coaches, which limits the generalizability of the findings. Future research should expand the participant base through collaboration with stakeholders in sport talent development and explore the potential of AI-supported meeting facilitation.

Keywords:

Solution-Focused Team Meeting Method (SFTMM), Online Meeting, Athlete Support, Digital Whiteboard, UX.