Damo Journal of Sports Sciences

The accuracy of shooting depends on the integration of a set of abilities and components that support the player’s attainment of the optimal position when striking the ball toward the goal. Among these abilities, agility and dynamic balance stand out as two essential factors that enable the player to move smoothly, change direction rapidly when facing defensive pressure, and maintain body stability to complete the final shooting action with the highest possible accuracy.
The importance of this study lies in examining the relative contribution of agility and balance to the changes that occur in shooting accuracy among football players. The study aims to identify the relationship between agility, dynamic balance, and shooting accuracy performance in football among youth players.
The research population consisted of youth football players from the Gardens of Babylon Sports Club in Babil Governorate for the 2025 sports season. Due to the limited size of the research population, which comprised (27) players, the researchers reached the following conclusions:
Youth players possess good levels of agility and balance, which positively reflect on their performance in shooting accuracy.
There is a very strong positive relationship between agility and shooting accuracy, as agility explains approximately 75.5% of the variance in shooting performance.

The research has practical importance in terms of the possibility of employing its results by school administrations, the Ministry of Education, and supervisors of extracurricular activities, to develop purposeful educational sports programs that enhance the psychological health of students. In light of the increasing global interest in positive education, this research contributes to enriching local and Arab literature by presenting a research model that combines physical education and psychological support, and aims to identify (the level of positive resilience and optimism for sixth-grade students, the role of sports activities in developing positive resilience and optimism for sixth-grade students). The community of this research was determined intentionally, which is the sixth-grade students in the Hashemite sector schools, numbering (10) secondary schools, for their cooperation in a way that serves the research. The research sample consisted of (780) students, including a constructive sample, while the experimental sample was divided into two groups, one experimental and the other a control group, each of which included (30 students) for their cooperation in a way that serves the research. The researcher adopted the scale of positive resilience and optimism.

The importance of this research lies in the fact that diversity in methods and approaches used in the educational process is essential for enhancing students’ learning experiences. The researcher sought to combine the training method with learning through trial and error on one hand, and the training method with learning through reinforcement schedules on the other. The training method based on trial and error gives students sufficient opportunity to make decisions during practice and the freedom to choose their position and environment. It also allows each student to learn according to their own abilities by attempting to correct mistakes through repeated trials. This gradual learning process enhances learners’ motivation and mental awareness during learning. As for the training method based on reinforcement schedules, students receive reinforcement through direct feedback from the instructor. This feedback serves both educational and reinforcing purposes, strengthening students’ behaviors and helping maintain their persistence and resistance to extinction. Thus, both methods stimulate learners’ mental awareness and encourage them to continue improving their shooting Skills in football.
Research Problem: The learning process requires the use of modern and varied methods that match students’ abilities and levels, as well as the type of sport being taught. Through reviewing previous studies and based on his experience in teaching football, the researcher observed a lack of use of two learning methods - learning through trial and error, and learning through reinforcement schedules - in combination with the training method, grounded in the cognitive theories of Thorndike and skinner. Additionally, there has been little research on mindfulness, despite its significant role in readiness, attention, and the use of important mental processes in learning football shooting skills. The researcher noticed a weakness in these aspects among first-year students in the Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences at the College of Basic Education, University of Diyala. Therefore, the researcher decided to study this issue using the training method based on learning through trial and error and reinforcement schedules to enhance mindfulness and learning football shooting skills among students.
Research Objectives- To design educational units using the training method based on learning through trial and error and reinforcement schedules.- To identify the effect of the training method based on learning through trial and error and reinforcement schedules on mindfulness and the learning of football shooting Skills.

The research aims to identify the level of administrative performance among employees in the School Sports Division in managing and organizing sports tournaments, and how to manage them. The research problem lies in the limited human and material resources needed to meet tournament requirements and the disparity in the level of competence of the administrative cadres supervising implementation. The researcher used a descriptive survey approach because it is the most appropriate and closest to solving the problem. The questionnaire was considered the primary tool through which results could be reached. The research targeted a sample of (50) employees working in the School Sports Division. Data was collected through a questionnaire designed for this purpose. The research results showed that the level of administrative performance in the School Sports Division in Diyala Governorate varies between organizational and technical aspects, with greater emphasis on the executive aspect than on advance planning. The research also revealed that the administrative organization of sports tournaments relies largely on the personal experience of some employees rather than on written, institutional plans and strategies, which reduces the sustainability of the quality of administrative performance. Considering the findings, the researcher recommends the development of detailed, written strategic plans for organizing school sports tournaments, clearly defining the objectives, methods, and timetable. Specialized educational personnel in sports management and organizations, including physical education teachers and experienced professionals, should be involved to ensure higher quality administrative performance.

The study aims to examine the effect of using special exercises on learning some basic tennis skills among students of the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences at the University of Bilad Al-Rafidain, specifically the skills of serving, forehand, and backhand groundstrokes. The researcher employed the experimental method using a two-group design (experimental and control) with pre- and post-tests, applied to a randomly selected sample of 40 students. The experimental group underwent an instructional program consisting of 18 teaching units that incorporated special exercises based on motor learning principles, while the control group followed the traditional curriculum used in the college. Statistical analysis results revealed significant differences in favor of the experimental group in the post-tests, indicating the effectiveness of the special exercises in improving students’ technical performance. The findings confirmed that gradual progression in difficulty and variation in learning situations contributed to enhancing learning efficiency and developing motor and skill abilities. The researcher recommended adopting these exercises in tennis instruction and integrating them into future academic and training programs.

Futsal is a team sport that requires its practitioners to have high physical, technical, and mental skills, as the practitioner must make quick and accurate decisions while playing. Researchers and those interested have noticed that mental abilities such as concentration, self-confidence, impulse control, and the ability to Dealing with pressure directly affects the quality of players’ skill performance, especially in basic skills (such as handling and suppression) And scoring) Hence the importance of this study to show the relationship between mental fitness and basic skills among middle school students, specifically the sixth grade of science, who represent an important stage in sports and psychological formation, and thus solve the research problem, as a clear disparity was observed in the level of students’ performance of football skills. Futsal, despite their similarity in physical and skill abilities.This disparity may indicate a difference in the level of mental fitness, which calls for the question: Is there a correlation between mental fitness and the performance of some basic skills in futsal among sixth grade students? The research aims to identify the correlation between mental fitness and some basic futsal skills among sixth-grade scientific students. The researcher followed the descriptive approach using the survey method and correlational relationships. The research population was determined by sixth-grade scientific students in secondary and preparatory schools for boys in the Hashemite District in Babil Governorate. For the academic year (2024-2025), their number is (250) students representing (5) schools The researcher chose his research sample from that population of (44) students, and applied the mental fitness scale consisting of (4) items and basic skills tests in futsal (handling, putting out, scoring) to the main research sample, and after processing the results, the research came out with a set of conclusions, including There is a significant correlation between mental fitness and performance of basic skills in futsal (scoring, handling, etc And suppression) for sixth grade science students. The researcher recommended a set of recommendations, including preparing awareness programs for physical education teachers about the importance of mental fitness and its impact on students’ skill performance.

This study sought to construct the compound workouts being investigated and to assess their impact on agility, coordination, and chest passing skills in young athletes. The researcher utilized the experimental technique, implementing a single-group pre-test/post-test design. The research sample comprised players from the under-16 junior squad of Dijlah University Club. The pre- and post-test findings were presented, evaluated, and debated utilizing data processing techniques. The study determined that complex workouts positively influenced the development of agility, coordination, and chest passing abilities in players under 16, and that the incorporation of assistance gadgets in training yielded beneficial effects. The researcher advocated for several measures, primarily: the imperative of employing compound exercises to enhance agility, coordination, and chest passing abilities, as well as the requirement for utilizing assistive devices during contemporary training regimens for young athletes to cultivate offensive or defensive skills in basketball.

Academic integration of students applying to the faculties of physical education and sports sciences in the Middle Euphrates region. The research aims to build a scale of academic integration for students applying in the faculties of physical education and sports sciences in the Middle Euphrates region and to identify the role and level of academic integration of the applying students. The problem of the research lies in the fact that the success of the educational process lies in the integration of students into the academic environment. On this basis, the researcher will see the level of academic integration of the applying students through the practical work of the applying students in their schools, whether it is good or not, by distributing the scale to the students after the application period. The researcher identified the community and sample of his research, the applied students in the faculties of education and sports sciences in the Middle Euphrates region and regular attendance for the academic year (2024-2025), whose number is (380) male and female students, and they are the same sample for constructing the scale, which consisted of (350) male and female students, and the exploratory sample was (30) male and female students, and they were chosen using the comprehensive enumeration method. Conclusions: The students applied in the faculties of physical education and sports sciences in the Middle Euphrates region have a high level of academic integration and there are statistically significant differences. For the applied students between males and females and in favor of females. Recommendations: The necessity of conducting adequate studies on the academic integration of applied students due to its great importance in the success of the educational process in the optimal way. The academic integration of applied students’ needs continuous support from educational institutions in colleges and schools by preparing an encouraging educational environment that makes it an effective element in the educational process. Statistical methods: The data obtained were processed using the statistical package (SPSS) and the program (Excel).

Psychological preparation is a major part of the sports training process, like other types of preparation, as it works on the optimal investment of the players\' physical, skill and tactical abilities. The research aimed to prepare competitive exercises and identify their impact on psychological resilience and the skills of handling and scoring in indoor soccer. The researcher used the experimental method with a two-group equivalent design. The research sample consisted of players from the Diyala Education team in indoor soccer, numbering (14 players). The most important conclusions were that competitive exercises had a very large and effective impact on developing psychological resilience and the skills of handling and scoring in indoor soccer, as this appeared through the significance of the differences between the pre- and post-test of the variables. The most important recommendations were to adopt competitive exercises in training because of their positive impact on the research variables, and to benefit from these exercises in solving some psychological problems for players when performing skills.

The field of motor learning has witnessed a remarkable development, as interest has come to encompass cognitive and perceptual aspects alongside practical skill practice. This research aims to study the effect of an educational approach based on design thinking on improving the learning of soccer scoring skills among second-grade middle school students. The researcher adopted an experimental approach with two equivalent groups. The educational program was applied to the experimental group, while the control group used the traditional method. The curriculum included seven lessons, each containing two practical exercises of varying difficulty, with a focus on interaction and practical practice. Performance was evaluated before and after the lessons. The results showed a significant improvement in the experimental group compared to the control group. The program also enhanced interaction and participation, contributing to more accurate and consistent skill acquisition. These results confirm the effectiveness of design thinking in improving motor and skill learning, with the potential for its generalization in teaching soccer skills to enhance students' technical performance.

The aim of the research was to determine the level of training competencies (cognitive, skill, personal, social) of tennis, football and netball coaches from the players’ point of view. And the disclosure of deficiencies or shortages in the training competencies of trainers. And compare the level of training competencies between the coaches of the two games to identify similarities and differences. The areas of research were from the human Field: the players of sports clubs participating in the Premier League of Baghdad governorate and the time domain: 3/6/2025 until 11/8/2520. And the spatial area: the headquarters of the participating sports clubs in the Premier League. The researcher identified his community of all the players participating in the Premier League of the (10) sports clubs with a total number of (141) players representing those sports clubs, where the researcher took all the players in a comprehensive inventory method and then distributed the sample into three main samples and recommended the need to strengthen the methodology in organized creativity by taking advantage of the supportive environment for creativity by adopting a methodological framework to receive the ideas of the players, analyze and implement good ones. The need to diversify implementation and interaction strategies through the development and application of more diverse training methods (such as introductory play, problem solving) to face Individual Differences and work to integrate technical development with technological development in order to enhance technical competence. And work on the development of a person's motivation mechanisms by filling the gap in motivation proportional to personalities.

The importance of this research lies in its attempt to implement mastery instructional exercises aimed at enhancing students' proficiency in learning and developing some basic offensive volleyball skills. This is achieved through the use of interactive teaching methods that combine practical and theoretical aspects and motivate learners to perform consciously and purposefully. The researcher hopes that the results of this research will contribute to the development of educational curricula for physical education and improve training and teaching methods to keep pace with modern scientific trends in the field of motor learning. The research problem was: The educational system found a clear weakness among students in performing basic offensive skills such as serving, setting, and passing. This is due to the use of traditional instructional exercises that do not take into account the principle of mastery or individual differences among learners. This in itself constitutes a research problem that requires the use of more precise and differentiated instructional exercises, such as mastery instructional exercises, to teach and develop some basic offensive volleyball skills for students. The aim of the research was to identify the effect of educational proficiency exercises on teaching and developing some basic offensive volleyball skills for students. The experimental approach was used, and the research population was second-year students in the College of Physical Education and Sports Science at Al-Qadisiyah University. After implementing the exercises, the most important conclusions were reached: Educational proficiency exercises helped teach and develop some basic offensive volleyball skills for students. Therefore, it was recommended to adopt educational proficiency exercises because they helped teach and develop some basic offensive volleyball skills for students.

This study aims to develop a self-management scale for first-division football players and to identify the relationship between emotional traits and self-management among first-division players at Al-Sadiq Sports Club.
Research Methodology: The researcher used the descriptive survey method, as it is suitable for addressing the research problem and achieving its objectives. The research population included first-division football players for the 2025–2026 season. The sample was divided into three groups: a pilot sample consisting of (9) players, a construction sample of (100) players, and the main application sample, which was purposefully selected from Al-Sadiq Sports Club and consisted of (25) players.
After processing the data using the statistical program SPSS Ver. 23, the study reached several conclusions, including the presence of a significant correlation between the emotional traits scale and the self-management scale among first-division football players. It was also found that the players in the main application sample exhibited an average level on both the emotional traits and self-management scales.

This study aims to examine the impact of a specialized physical conditioning program on the development of basic physical fitness components among junior boxing players. The researcher used the experimental method on a sample of 20 junior athletes, divided into two groups: control and experimentation. The experimental group underwent a specialized training program for eight weeks, while the control group continued with their regular training routines. Measurements of basic fitness components (muscular strength, endurance, speed, agility, and balance) were taken before and after the intervention. The results showed a significant improvement in the experimental group across all variables, indicating the effectiveness of the program in enhancing the physical capacities required in boxing. The study recommends implementing such specialized programs in junior training centers.

This research aimed to develop core muscle exercises for basketball players under 16 years old and to determine the effectiveness of these exercises in improving energy expenditure during physical effort, motor balance, and dribbling speed in these players. The researcher used an experimental design with a pre-test/post-test for two equivalent groups (experimental and control) as it was suitable for the nature of the research. The research population was defined as young basketball players under 16 years old from Babil Governorate. Al-Hillah Sports Club was selected by lottery for the 2024-2025 training season, totaling 16 players. A sample was then selected the research was conducted using a lottery system, dividing the sample into two groups (experimental and control), with 8 players in each group. The researcher prepared several exercises, which were implemented during the special preparation period. The proposed exercises began on February 1, 2025, and continued for 8 weeks. The total number of training sessions was 24, with 3 sessions per week on Saturdays, Mondays, and Wednesdays. The total duration of each training session was 120 minutes, with the main training segment lasting 30-45 minutes. The training method used was high-intensity interval training (HIIT), with an intensity ranging from 75% to 100% of the player's maximum performance level. One of the most important conclusions reached by the researcher was the existence of statistically significant differences between the pre-test and post-test results for the experimental group in the studied variables. This indicates that the specific physical exercises used were effective in developing the physiological, physical, and skill variables.

. To reach good athletic levels, players and individual athletes must regularly engage in continuous and strenuous training in the type of activity they choose. The player interacts with their athletic environment, influencing and being influenced by it. This interaction is not limited to simply responding to the various sporting situations he goes through in training and competitions, but the player often gains experience and perceptions about himself and others through this interaction, through his continuous awareness of his physical, skill and tactical abilities as part of his general self-awareness. Emotional response is one of the important psychological factors that can be observed through an individual\'s behavior in responding to emotional situations during skill performance. Basketball is a team sport that has always attracted the attention of many fans of this game due to its distinctive skill, outstanding technical performance, and its need for high capabilities. \"Athletes who are well-prepared psychologically and morally, as well as in other aspects, are able to better control their emotions in critical and sudden circumstances.\" \"The process of development and creativity comes through good mastery of the basic skills in the game and performing them under all conditions, especially the free throw from a stationary position, due to its importance in achieving victory. Hence lies the importance of research into knowing the relationship between emotional response and the free throw from a stationary position.\" Through the researcher\'s field experience and continuous observation of training processes, it became clear that psychological preparation processes did not have a comprehensive dimension in the memory of trainers and those working in the field of training. This means that these aspects have not received sufficient importance alongside physical, technical, and tactical preparation in order to control the negative emotions that the player faces during competition, which are reflected in the player\'s performance level. And on the team\'s overall results in the league standings, as well as on the general level of the game\'s skills. Thus, the research problem is manifested in the weakness and speed of performance of basic skills and their performance among male and female players, especially in the early stages of colleges and departments of physical education. One of the main objectives was to identify the level of emotional response among female students in the Physical Education Department. The main hypothesis was that there is a statistically significant correlation between emotional response and the accuracy of the free throw from a stationary position in basketball. Emotional response means: \"An individual\'s response to their environment is closely related to the intensity of the behavior.\" The research sample consisted of fourth-year female students from the Department of Physical Education at the University of Kufa. The study took place in the sports hall of the Department of Physical Education at the University of Kufa, from May 1, 2024, to January 9, 2025. The researcher used the descriptive method with a correlational approach because it is one of the most suitable methods for the nature of the research problem. The most important conclusion is the existence of a statistically significant correlation between emotional response and shooting accuracy in basketball. The most important recommendation was to emphasize the importance of players participating in local competitions aimed at improving their emotional responses.

Given the importance of diversifying teaching strategies, the "integration" process emerges as an effective mechanism that allows teachers to employ innovative methods aimed at stimulating creative thinking. This, in turn, is reflected in the mastery of sports skills, particularly offensive skills, which give students the opportunity to grasp complex motor tasks within the educational environment.
The significance of this research lies in developing integrated physical and skill exercises using the "integration" method within educational units. This aims to develop students' creative thinking skills and enhance their self-confidence and ability to actively participate in sports activities. To achieve this objective, the researcher adopted an experimental approach with two groups (experimental and control) using a sample of 40 first-year students from the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences. The students were equally divided between the two groups. The experimental group underwent the proposed integration exercises along with the application of a creative thinking scale.
After conducting pre- and post-tests and statistically analyzing the data, the results showed statistically significant differences favoring the experimental group. This leads to the conclusion that using skill-based exercises using the integration method has a significant positive impact on developing creative thinking and improving the performance of offensive football skills.

This research aims to identify the impact of blended learning on students' learning of basic basketball skills. It also aims to identify the differences between the experimental and control groups in learning these basic basketball skills. The researchers adopted an experimental design with two equivalent groups (control and experimental) using pre- and post-testing. The research population consisted of 150 third-year intermediate students at Tariq Al-Taf Intermediate School for Boys, affiliated with the Babylon Directorate of Education, during the 2025-2026 academic year. The research sample consisted of (30) students randomly selected and divided into two groups: an experimental group and a control group, each comprising (15) students. Pre- and post-tests were administered for basic basketball skills (chest passing, receiving and catching the ball, and shooting from a stationary position). These tests were conducted in conjunction with the application of blended learning modules. The study comprised (8) modules, delivered over (4) weeks, with two modules per week, each module lasting (45) minutes. The research concluded that the blended learning strategy had a positive impact on students' learning of some basic basketball skills. One of the recommendations is to utilize the blended learning strategy in teaching basketball skills and other sports, as it is suitable for the students' age group..

meter performance in the track and field event among students of the College of Physical Education and Sports Science at Al-Mustansiriya University. The researcher used the descriptive method as it was suitable for the nature of the research problem. The research population was defined as the students of the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences at Al-Mustansiriya University during the academic year (2025-2026), totaling (170) students. The main study sample consisted of (30) students, representing (17.64%), while the pilot study sample comprised (9) students randomly selected from the research population.
After presenting and discussing the results, a number of conclusions were reached, including a significant correlation between the interactive thinking scale and the level of achievement in the 800-meter race among fourth-year students at the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences. Interactive thinking helps students make appropriate decisions during performance, such as choosing the right time to increase speed or maintain running pace.
The researcher recommends focusing on developing interactive thinking among students at the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences due to its role in improving performance in track and field events. She also emphasizes the necessity of integrating physical and mental training when preparing students for track and field events. Furthermore, she recommends conducting a similar study on students in various sports

This study investigates the relationship between explosive strength and the performance of the fast spike skill among volleyball players, a key offensive skill influencing match outcomes and team effectiveness, the study was prompted by observed variations in fast spike execution, despite players possessing adequate physical abilities, suggesting a gap in translating physical capacity into skill performance, the main objective was to assess the players’ explosive strength and its impact on the effectiveness of the fast spike. Findings revealed a significant positive correlation: players with higher explosive strength executed spikes with greater speed and accuracy, enhancing offensive efficiency and overall team performance, the results underscore the importance of specialized training programs that integrate explosive strength development with technical skill enhancement ,it is recommended that coaches focus on position-specific explosive and anaerobic training to optimize spike performance and overall volleyball effectiveness.

The research problem emerged from observing weakness in the step phase during the execution of the triple jump. This weakness is attributed to the lack of using mechanical energy training, which is based on a physical law to determine training intensity individually for each jumper, considering body mass, time, and distance. Another factor is related to the level and availability of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the muscles, as it is the primary compound influencing physical performance and represents the dominant energy system in this event. Additionally, many coaches pay limited attention to the technical aspects of the triple jump within training units compared to physical aspects, leading to a lack of awareness among jumpers regarding the importance of these trainings, despite their familiarity with physical exercises.
To improve performance and achievement in the triple jump, the researcher applied mechanical energy training and ATP supplementation to triple jumpers selected randomly (by lottery) from clubs in the Middle Euphrates region. The sample was divided into two groups (experimental and control), with five jumpers in each group. The aim of the study was to improve step phase performance and achievement. After conducting pre-tests, the researcher implemented the prepared training program and administered the supplement for a period of eight weeks, with three training units per week. Post-tests were then conducted, and the results demonstrated a positive effect of mechanical energy training and ATP supplementation on improving the kinematic variables of the step phase and performance achievement for the research sample.

The study aims to design training exercises based on tactical situations to develop the perceptual–motor capabilities of football players in the attacking third, with a focus on positioning and spatial–temporal awareness to enhance finishing, resolve attacking plays, and build confidence in young players so they can act correctly and perform the required successful actions on the field, particularly in offensive roles. The researcher employed the experimental method with two groups (experimental n = 8, control n = 8) over a period of eight weeks, with three training sessions per week, each lasting 60–75 minutes (a total of 24 sessions). The research hypotheses included designing tactical-behavior exercises for young football players and identifying the effect of playing situations on developing perceptual–motor abilities and positional behavior among young players. Perceptual–motor tests and positioning indicators based on video and GPS analysis were applied before and after the program. Data were statistically processed using the SPSS program. The results showed a significant improvement in perceptual–motor tests and offensive positioning indicators in the experimental group compared to the control group.

Repeated reliance on one leg for performance often leads to a difference in muscle strength or neuromuscular control between the legs, which can affect performance efficiency and increase the likelihood of functional injuries , Hence the importance of unilateral strength tests such as the one-legged squat test or the unilateral landing test, as they are accurate tools for measuring strength, stability, muscle coordination and related supporting variables such as balance, knee angle and pelvic stability during performance.