The Effect of Special Exercises on Developing Motor Response Speed and the Skills of Euro Step Layup and Floater Shoot for Basketball Players Under 16

Abstract

The significance of this research lies in preparing special exercises to develop motor response speed and the skills of Euro Step Layup and Floater Shoot for basketball players under 16 years of age. These exercises were designed to enhance players’ ability to perceive situations, analyze information, and make the correct decision. The research problem was identified in the difficulties faced by some players in motor response speed, which directly influences decision-making during offensive construction under defensive congestion. Additionally, a weakness was observed in the performance of the Euro Step Layup and Floater Shoot skills, which are now essential alternatives to the traditional layup. The research aimed to investigate the impact of these special exercises on developing motor response speed and the two aforementioned skills among under-16 basketball players. The researcher employed the experimental method with two equivalent groups (experimental and control) using pre- and post-tests, as it suited the nature of the research. The sample consisted of 12 players from Al-Rawdhatain Sports Club, registered in the Iraqi Basketball Federation activities for the 2024–2025 season. They were randomly divided into two groups of six players each. Pre-tests were conducted on Saturday, 2 November 2024, at 3:00 PM in Al-Hindiya Sports Hall, Karbala. The special exercises prepared by the researcher began on Wednesday, 6 November 2024, during part of the main training session, and concluded on Sunday, 29 December 2024, lasting for eight weeks with three training units per week. Appropriate statistical methods were applied to analyze the pre- and post-test results, leading to the following conclusions:

- The effectiveness of the special exercises in developing motor response speed, Euro Step Layup, and Floater Shoot skills.

- Statistically significant differences were observed in favor of the experimental group across motor response speed, Euro Step Layup, and Floater Shoot skills.