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Title

Learning from the past - benchmarking player pathways

Abstract

It is well understood that reaching the elite levels of performance or ‘expertise’ requires up to 10 years and some 10,000 hours of sustained deliberate practice (Ericcson et al., 1993). Deliberate practice for sport not only involves dedicated skills or in-game training, but also various types of ‘off-field’ training activities where the sole intention is to improve performance for that sport. Although this framework is yet to be fully explored in tennis, the investment of considerable practice transcends our sport. Indeed, an appreciation of the highly structured competitive pathways in international junior tennis as well as descriptive data of the professional top 100 points to this investment occurring earlier in tennis than in other sports. This presentation will discuss what can be learned from the playing histories of the game's well-performed contemporaries as an initial, practical insight into this framework.

Keywords

Talent ID, Long Term Athlete Development

Abstract 2º

The development of an efficient service action requires an understanding of stroke mechanics, combined with a coaching approach to develop service efficiency. In this presentation a developmental sequence will be provided for service mechanics, with on-court examples.

Title 2º

Biomechanical Factors for Consideration in the Development of the Serve

Keywords 2º

Service mechanics, stroke development, biomechanics, coaching

Summary 2º

Biomechanical Factors for Consideration in the Development of the Serve:
Theory and Practice
Professor Bruce Elliott, School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health,
The University of Western Australia, Australia
Dr Machar Reid, Sports Science Manager, Tennis Australia, Australia

This presentation will discuss mechanical aspects of the serve from a theoretical perspective coupled with practical on-court interventions to develop each aspect. While different coaches will have varying approaches to serve development, each mechanical aspect of the motion discussed below must be addressed somewhere in the learning process.
1. Rhythm: This is a key feature of all efficient service actions. Children learning to serve in a modified game format, with an appropriately scaled racket and ball, should strive to achieve service rhythm. While this rhythm may be achieved in a variety of teaching approaches (neither leg action nor trunk involvement; reduced swing path), it is one of the first ‘building blocks’ needed to create an efficient service action. This aspect of the action will also be involved with the development of an efficient ‘ball toss’ and creation of a hitting position with the front arm extended upwards. The role of the wrist to develop service power in this rhythmical swing will also be explored.
2. Development of a throwing action: Selected aspects of throwing technique, related to future service development will be discussed both theoretically and practically. Each aspect will be linked with the service mechanics presented below.
3. Trunk (hip and shoulder alignments) rotation during the backswing: Once a player has developed a rhythmical swing, tactical considerations such as more power or more disguise (with reference to ball direction) may be addressed. Young players may now increase the displacement of the racket in the backswing by rotating both the hip and shoulder alignments (trunk rotation). Mechanically, it is desirable to teach that the shoulder alignment should be rotated more than the hip alignment in a horizontal plane (creating a horizontal separation angle), even at an early age. The level of the separation angle may increase as part of the normal development process. Shoulder and hip alignment tilt (vertical separation angle) are also part of the development of trunk rotation during the backswing.
4. Foot positions: Having developed rhythm and hip/shoulder rotations it is then mechanically logical to ensure that the back foot is appropriately placed with respect to the back hip. This step in the learning process is important as it links with the development of ‘leg drive’ and ‘shoulder-over-shoulder’ trunk rotation (discussed below).
5. The creation of leg-drive: Some young players commence serving with a ‘leg drive’, however, many children do not, so this action should be introduced (irrespective of foot-up or foot-back techniques) when the above service characteristics are in place. Remember:
• Young players should commence with less knee flexion than is commonly seen in mature players. Children may start with modest levels of knee flexion (~20º) and then build this to the ~70º knee flexion recorded for adult performers.
• The racket position, ‘down behind the back’, will often be reduced for players without any ‘leg drive’, so do not expect the same backswing position for children, who do not have any ‘leg drive’. Young players may compensate for this lack of ‘downwards drive’ by dropping the racket-head by extending at the wrist - this should be avoided.
6. Development of trunk rotation in the forwardswing - in all three planes (twist, forwards and shoulder-over-shoulder). With the appropriate foot placement, leg drive and ball placement (see comments below re shoulder internal rotation), creation of the important shoulder-over-shoulder trunk rotation will generally occur naturally. The role of twist axis rotation in service development will be discussed from a practical perspective.
7. Development of shoulder internal rotation, the key feature in the development of racket speed in the ‘power serve’: Mechanically this form of shoulder rotation will be achieved by:
• Movement of the ball toss for a right-handed player from a 1 o’clock position to one more aligned with the front foot (12 o’clock).
• Shoulder-over-shoulder rotation.
• Purposeful practise of internal rotation at the shoulder joint - this may be commenced at an early age, if an appropriate racket and ball are being used.

When shoulder internal rotation should be introduced into the teaching sequence is a question with no real answer. It can be taught relatively early in the learning process, however, it certainly will not achieve its ultimate goal of dramatically increasing racket speed until the factors discussed in point 7, as well as muscle strength have been appropriately developed. Variability: The role of variability will be discussed across all levels of service development. What factors, such as toss height relative to stature, should be held constant across the development spectrum and when should variety be introduced into the service action (direction and spin) with respect to the points above.

The coordination of the above features will provide the young player with the best opportunity to develop an effective serve. Good mechanics, while reducing the potential for injury, also provide the best opportunity to serve consistently with power.

CV

Name

Machar

Surname

Reid

Curriculum vitae

Machar is the Sport Science and Medicine Manager for Tennis Australia (TA). In this role, he is responsible for TA’s Sport Science programme which includes working with players, coaches and researchers nation-wide. Machar holds a PhD. in tennis biomechanics and retains an association with the University of Western Australia as an Adjunct Lecturer (Biomechanics).

Machar was the Assistant Research Officer for the International Tennis Federation (ITF) from 2000-2004, where his brief included touring as a coach with the ITF Junior ‘A’ Team, co-editing ITF Coaching & Sport Science Review, conducting research, and tutoring ITF Level II and III Coaching Courses. During this time, he also filled the role of strength and conditioning advisor to ATP player, Greg Rusedski. More recently, he has assisted the Chinese Tennis Association in the physical preparation of their top 100 female players.

In Australia, Machar has complemented a strong background in sport science, featuring a comprehensive course of under- and post-graduate study, with a scholarship coaching post with the Australian Institute of Sport Tennis programme. Machar has co-authored several tennis sport science and coaching books and is also a regular presenter at international workshops and contributor to peer-reviewed scientific journals.

History

Member for

2 years 41 weeks