The research aimed to design skill tests based on visual scanning for professional football players in the 2023-2024 Iraqi Premier League season, simulating in-game conditions. The researcher employed the descriptive method (survey study) to align with the nature of the research. The study population included 263 players from clubs participating in the 2023-2024 Iraqi Football Stars League in Baghdad. The researcher developed and standardized six skill tests based on visual scanning, conducting field applications on the sample to achieve the research’s purpose. Visual scanning helps accelerate the pace of play.
The study’s goals also include contributing to sustainable development objectives in physical education by showing that the designed tests enhance players’ positive mental health and cognitive development, thus enabling accurate player performance evaluation and improvement.
The researcher concluded that skill tests based on visual scanning are objective benchmarks, offering more realistic assessments of skill performance during football matches. It was found that keeping the head stable and avoiding quick head movements to the sides is essential for accurate testing. Proper body positioning in the side-scan tests (right and left) allows players to perform the scans correctly. In contrast, standing straight and not side-facing weakens the player’s ability to execute an accurate scan.