The Contribution Ratio of Selected Physical Attributes to the Performance of Selected Basic Offensive Skills in Basketball among Players of the University of Zakho National Team

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the contribution of selected physical attributes—namely strength, speed, and balance—to the performance of key offensive skills in basketball, including passing, dribbling, and shooting. The research utilized a descriptive correlational methodology and involved a purposive sample of 12 players from the University of Zakho basketball team, representing the full population of the study.

To achieve the objectives, data were collected using expert-approved physical and skill-based tests. Statistical methods such as Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the relationships and determine the predictive power of the physical attributes.

The findings revealed a strong, statistically significant negative correlation between speed and passing performance, indicating that increased physical speed enhances passing efficiency. While other relationships between physical attributes and offensive skills were not statistically significant, they demonstrated practical trends. Regression models explained a notable proportion of performance variance—ranging from 42% to 47%—with speed emerging as the most influential variable in passing and shooting, and strength showing a moderate influence on dribbling.

The study concludes that targeted development of speed and strength should be prioritized in training programs to enhance offensive performance in basketball. It recommends further research with larger and more diverse samples and encourages the inclusion of additional physical attributes such as agility and neuromuscular coordination in future studies.