The effect of cognitive-skill exercises on improving tactical behavior, handling, and scoring skills in young football players

The current research aims to develop and implement cognitive-skill exercises on young football players at the Kufa Club in Najaf Governorate. This is to identify the impact of cognitive-skill exercises on improving tactical behavior, passing, and scoring skills in football. To achieve this goal, the researchers employed an experimental approach and designed two equivalent groups: a control group and an experimental group, with pre- and post-tests. The research population consisted of (27) young football players at the Kufa Club for the 2024-2025 season. A random sampling method was used to select (22) players to represent the research sample. These players were randomly divided into two groups, with (11) players in each group. The researchers then set out to define the research variables, which were tactical behavior, accurate handling, and scoring in football. The researchers then searched previous sources and studies, and based on this, they adopted the tactical behavior scale prepared by (Ahmed Salem Ahmed and Ahmed Yaqzan Saleh), as the scale measures the same goal that the researchers are seeking, as the scale consists of (10) situations, each situation contains three tactical behaviors, and the grades are distributed according to each behavior from (1, 2, 3), and thus the scale grade ranges from (10-30) degrees. The researchers then conducted a pilot experiment to verify the validity of the tests. After verifying these, they began implementing the pre-tests. After obtaining the results, the researchers conducted homogeneity and equivalence of the research variables to ensure that the two groups were at the same starting point. They then began implementing the cognitive-skill exercises for a period of (8) weeks, at a rate of (3) units per week. The researchers took into account the distribution of intensity between the daily training units, using a (2:1) oscillation. As for the training method, the researchers used a high-intensity interval training method with an intensity ranging from (80-95)%. After completing the exercises, they began implementing the post-tests. After obtaining the results, the researchers used the SPSS statistical program to analyze the data and obtain the results. Accordingly, the researchers concluded that the cognitive-skill exercises play a role in improving tactical behavior and the skills of handling and scoring in soccer. Furthermore, the experimental group outperformed the control group in the research variables.