The Effect of Imagery Training Program on Performance and Learning of Mini-Basketball Basic Skills

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of cognitive¡ motivational¡ and combined (cognitive and motivational) imagery training on performance and learning of mini-basketball basic skills. 81 subjects were chosen based on their motor imagery questionnaire (Hall & Martin¡ 1997) scores and then randomly assigned to 4 groups (CIP¡ MIP¡ C-MIP and P). Results showed that the cognitive imagery group was superior in acquisition¡ post-test and retention. But the only significant interactions were found in both combined and motivational imagery groups in shooting and passing skills. The pattern of changing scores from pre-test to post-test was increasing for both groups¡ but this pattern from post-test to retention stage was increasing only for combined group. It seems that in the first stages of practice¡ using combined imagery containing cognitive and motivational components accompanied by physical practice¡ leads to better coding in basic skills such as basketball skills.