The Effect of the Cognitive Modeling Strategy on the Accuracy of the Jump Shot Skill in Handball among Students

Team sports, especially handball, require a close link between physical fitness and cognitive skills. Excellent performance is not just about strength; it also relies heavily on perception, focus, and rapid decision-making during competitions. Considering this importance, the present study aimed to develop an educational framework based on cognitive modeling strategies and to assess its impact on enhancing the accuracy of jump shots among fourth-year students at the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Al-Muthanna, during the 2024–2025 academic year.

The researchers used an experimental design with two comparable groups and pre- and post-tests. The sample included 20 students who were randomly chosen and evenly split into an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group participated in a six-week instructional program based on the cognitive modeling strategy, aiming to connect mental understanding of performance with motor execution requirements. Meanwhile, the control group continued training using traditional teaching methods.

The statistical results demonstrated improvements in the accuracy of the jump shot for both groups; however, the experimental group experienced a significantly greater increase, with a development rate of 45.88% compared to 17.18% for the control group. The study concluded that the cognitive modeling strategy is an effective instructional tool for integrating thinking with motor performance, and that it enhances decision-making efficiency and skill accuracy among handball students.