Esraa Lafta Salem Al Khakani (1)
General Background: Basketball learning requires technical proficiency together with tactical perception and decision-making because players must apply skills within changing game situations. Specific Background: Instruction that teaches basic skills separately from actual playing situations may provide limited opportunities for learners to apply skills, recognize tactical conditions, and select appropriate responses. Knowledge Gap: Systematic scientific testing is needed to examine mini-game-based learning for developing skill proficiency, tactical perception, and decision-making among female basketball students. Aims: This study examines mini-game-based learning for developing skill proficiency, tactical awareness, and decision-making among female basketball students in Najaf Governorate. Results: The study involved 30 female students aged 17–19 years and used pre- and post-testing to assess skill proficiency, tactical perception, and decision-making. The learning program progressed from simple to complex situations, including 1-versus-1, 2-versus-1, 2-versus-2, 3-versus-2, and 3-versus-3 scenarios. Post-test scores were higher than pre-test scores for the experimental group, with skill competency increasing from 52.07 to 68.07, tactical perception from 18.27 to 27.53, and decision-making from 17.07 to 25.67. The study reports statistically significant pre-test and post-test differences and higher post-test results for the experimental group. Novelty: The program integrates technical skills, tactical situations, and decision-making within progressively structured mini-game scenarios. Implications: The approach provides a basketball learning context in which students practice skills while perceiving situations, identifying options, and making decisions.
Highlights:
Keywords: Mini Game Learning, Basketball, Skill Proficiency, Tactical Perception, Decision Making
F. E. Perdima, D. Apriansyah, A. Sumantri, D. Ertanto, and D. Sofyan, “Enhancing technical proficiency through small-sided basketball games: A strategic approach for students athletes,” Journal Sport Area, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 195–206, 2024.
R. Rusmana, I. Sulaiman, T. Rihatno, H. Chaniago, S. Samsudin, M. Asmawi, et al., “Effects of tactical game+ encouragement on improve decision making and skill execution in basketball athletes,” Revista Iberoamericana de Psicología del Ejercicio y el Deporte, vol. 18, no. 5, pp. 612–617, 2023.
M. T. Abad Robles, D. Collado-Mateo, C. Fernández-Espínola, E. Castillo Viera, and F. J. Gimenez Fuentes-Guerra, “Effects of teaching games on decision making and skill execution: A systematic review and meta-analysis,” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 17, no. 2, p. 505, 2020.
F. E. Perdima, D. Sofyan, and A. Sulastio, “A research and development study of a game-based learning model: Effects on basketball skills and engagement in physical education,” Journal Sport Area, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 31–43, 2026.
K. Davids, D. Araújo, V. Correia, and L. Vilar, “How small-sided and conditioned games enhance acquisition of movement and decision-making skills,” Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, vol. 41, no. 3, pp. 154–161, 2013.
S. A. Mitchell, J. L. Oslin, and L. L. Griffin, Teaching Sport Concepts and Skills: A Tactical Games Approach. Champaign, IL, USA: Human Kinetics, 2020.
L. B. F. Diniz, S. D. G. T. Bredt, and G. M. Praca, “Influence of non-scorer floater and numerical superiority on novices’ tactical behaviour and skill efficacy during basketball small-sided games,” International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 37–45, 2022.
A. Rahmadani, O. Candra, F. E. Perdima, N. Gazali, and M. S. Omar-Fauzee, “Cutting-edge tech for basketball: Virtual reality and machine learning in executive function and decision-making training,” Health, Sport, Rehabilitation, pp. 8–20, 2026.
I. Yousef, M. Kayed, S. Liftawi, S. Hamdan, J. Alnuaimi, and H. Al-Kilani, “Impact of flipped classroom strategy and learning on the acquisition of basic skills among students in the basketball 1 course at Birzeit University,” Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, vol. 7, p. 1660007, 2025.
Q. Li, P. Mahakhan, and K. Watchayakarn, “Guideline of teaching basketball method for secondary school students in Xishan District, People’s Republic of China,” International Journal of Sociologies and Anthropologies Science Reviews, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 553–562, 2025.
F. Sgrò, R. Coppola, R. Schembri, and M. Lipoma, “The effects of a tactical games model unit on students’ volleyball performances in elementary school,” European Physical Education Review, vol. 27, no. 4, pp. 1000–1013, 2021.
M. S. El-Saleh, “The impact of programmed e-learning of the tactical aspects on the level of tactical thinking and decision-making for basketball course students,” 2020.
K. McGee, Coaching Basketball Technical and Tactical Skills. Champaign, IL, USA: Human Kinetics, 2007.
M. E. D. I. N. A. Srem-Sai, “An assessment of random practice and blocked practice approaches in skills acquisition, retention and transfer in teaching basketball skills to beginners in senior high schools,” Ph.D. dissertation, Univ. Education, Winneba, Ghana, 2015.
Z. Zhou, “Basketball game tactics decision modeling using video analytics for action recognition,” Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part P: Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology, p. 17543371251352669, 2025.
D. Memmert and P. Furley, “‘I spy with my little eye!’: Breadth of attention, inattentional blindness, and tactical decision making in team sports,” Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 365–381, 2007.
O. Candra, Z. Zulrafli, T. Prasetyo, and G. Gustiranda, “Basketball games and early childhood motoric development: Systematic literature review,” International Journal of Humanities Education and Social Sciences (IJHESS), vol. 2, no. 6, pp. 2141–2154, 2023.
N. A. Athab, “An analytical study of cervical spine pain according to the mechanical indicators of the administrative work staff,” Indian Journal of Public Health, vol. 10, no. 5, p. 1349, 2019.
N. A. Athab, W. R. Hussein, and A. A. M. Ali, “A comparative study for movement of sword fencing stabbed according to the technical programming in the game of fencing wheelchairs class B,” Indian Journal of Public Health, vol. 10, no. 5, p. 1345, 2019.
N. A. Athab and H. A. Alsayigh, “Rehabilitation of the wrist joint injury accordance of kinesiology variables,” Journal of Human Sport and Exercise, vol. 16, no. 2proc, pp. S532–S538, 2021.