Construction of a Selective Attention Test and Its Relationship to Performance of Some Basic Skills Among Youth Futsal Players

Abstract

This study aims to develop a test for selective attention among young futsal players, and to identify relationship between selective attention and their performance of some basic skills. The researcher used descriptive approach with a correlational style, as it is suitable for nature of study, which seeks to reveal relationship between two variables without introducing any experimental variables. This approach is considered one of  appropriate approaches in fields of measurement and evaluation in sports sciences.  Research community was determined in a purposive manner, and they are youth category futsal players in Diyala Governorate, numbering 82 players distributed across six clubs, namely Diyala, Al-Khalis, Jadida Al-Shatt, Al-Muqdadiya, Khanaqin, Al-Shaheed Arkan. After drawing lots, a pilot sample of 10 players was selected to verify  clarity of test procedures, ensure its validity, determine time taken, and identify technical and organizational problems. 40 players were selected for test construction sample to extract scientific properties of test, such as validity, reliability, and discrimination, and to analyze results statistically accurately. 32 players were selected to administer final test to study relationship between selective attention and  performance of some basic skills and to extract  final results of study. Research concluded that there is a significant correlation between selective attention and skill performance among futsal players. This demonstrates importance of cognitive aspect in improving skill performance, the researcher recommends necessity of focusing on developing selective attention in players through situational training that relies on visual stimuli during performance, test designed in this research is adopted as a scientific evaluation tool in assessing players.