A Comparative Study of Mindfulness Among High-Performing and Low-Performing Female Students in Basketball Chest Passing and Stationary Shooting

Abstract

This research aimed to develop a mindfulness scale for female students, as well as to identify differences in mindfulness between high- and low-performing students in basketball passing and shooting from a stationary position. The researcher used the descriptive method with survey and comparative approaches. The research population consisted of second-year female students at the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Baghdad, for the academic year 2025-2026, totaling 134 students. The research samples consisted of a scale development sample of 40 students, a pilot study sample of 10 students, and a main sample of 30 students divided into two groups: a group with The study compared high-performing students in basketball passing and stationary shooting (15 students) with a control group of low-performing students (15 students). After extracting and processing the data using appropriate statistical methods, the researcher reached several conclusions, including significant differences between the students in performing chest passes and stationary shooting; and the high-performing students outperforming the low-performing students in both skills in terms of mental focus. Based on these findings, the researcher recommended several measures, including emphasizing the inclusion of mindfulness exercises such as deep breathing and visualization within the basketball curriculum for female students; and guiding students, while learning passing and shooting, to focus on the feel of the ball and joint movement, rather than solely on the final result (the ball going into the basket).