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Title

The Importance of Specific Motor Density in Beginner Tennis

Abstract

The main concepts behind Play and Stay are not new. The use of transition balls and shorter courts, have been around for many years. However, most beginner coaches still use traditional methods of introducing Tennis, and by doing so, lose a lot of young kids (and adults) to other sports. We calculate that only around 20% of kids in beginner classes learn the basic skills to play the game (passing the net and landing the ball on court, with some consistency) in the first year, using traditional teaching methodology. The 80% that experience difficulties adapting to the game, will probably leave tennis in the first two years, carrying a bad image of our sport.

Keywords

Beginner, Slower Balls, Smaller courts

Summary

Preliminary analysis of traditional methods identified a number of problems with traditional teaching in tennis. Besides the obvious difficulties imposed by a heavy ball traveling at high speeds and the need to control a heavy racket to make the ball go over a long distance, the main problem that stands out is the extremely low motor density in beginner classes. Previous studies have shown that the time spent with the coach giving instructions to the players and picking up balls could amount to more than 30% of the total time of the class!

The number of repetitions is fundamental to the acquisition of motor skills. It has been shown that the representation of a motor skill in the primary cortex is highly dependent of the number of times the subject experiences that same movement. This is especially true for complex skills such as tennis specific movements. Therefore, specific motor density (expressed by the number of hits a player experiences during a session) is a measure of the efficiency of a beginner class.

The methodology proposed with Play and Stay can completely change the face of the way we introduce the sport. A comparison between a set of 14 sessions of beginner tennis using traditional approach and Play and Stay based concept, has definitely shown a difference exceeding 140% in specific motor density for the methodology using a game based approach, with slower balls and smaller courts. This can make a significant turn in the number of kids that can learn the basic skills to play the game (around 80% is a good estimate). Other studies are pointing in the same general direction.

It is not just a question of using slower balls and smaller courts. There must be changes in the methodology too. In a lot of clubs, the new materials are being used with outdated teaching methodology, thereby impairing the full potential of player development. This is a fundamental point for tennis development, especially in smaller countries, where every player is important due to a small population. Research must analyze these concepts and coaches’ education must bring this information to the tennis courts.

CV

Name

Victor

Surname

Cabral

Curriculum vitae

Academic references:

• Degree in Sports Physical Education;

• Master degree in Sports Science (Tennis Physiology ;

• PhD. in Tennis Biomechanics;

Current Professional Status:

• Director of Development and Coaches Education for the Portuguese Tennis Federation;

• Professor at the University of Maia (ISMAI) responsible for:
o Tennis
o Training Methodology
o Sports Projects Management
o Sports Facilities Management

History

Member for

2 years 28 weeks