The Impact of a Mental Imagery Based Instructional Program on Learning Basic Handball Skills

Abstract

Maen Ahmad Mahmoud Shalan* and Mona Nawwash Yosef Almaaitah

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the impact of a mental imagery-based instructional program on learning basic handball skills.
Methodology: The study employed an experimental design with a pretest-posttest comparison between an experimental group and a control group. The study population consisted of 76 students enrolled in the Handball 1 course at the Faculty of Sports Sciences, Mu'tah University, during the second semester of 2021/2022. The sample included 30 randomly selected students, divided into two groups: an experimental group (n=15) that learned basic skills using the proposed instructional program with mental imagery for 8 weeks (two weekly sessions), and a control group (n=15) that learned basic skills using traditional methods for 8 weeks (two weekly sessions). Accuracy shooting test, passing and receiving against a wall for 30 seconds, and zigzag ball dribbling (15 meters) were used to collect data.
Results: The study found that the proposed program using mental imagery accompanied by learning technical performance had a positive effect on the development of basic handball skills (passing, dribbling, shooting). learning using mental imagery outperforms traditional learning in developing motor performance of basic skills in handball (passing, jumping, shooting).
Conclusion: The study recommended the use of mental imagery during instructional units as an effective approach for teaching basic handball skills. It also emphasized the use of mental imagery as a teaching method by physical education teachers in general and handball coaches in particular.