<b>Performance factors in the first serve in competitive tennis players</b> - doi: 10.4025/reveducfis.v22i3.10540

• Main Authors: Pedro Cabral Mendes, Rui Manuel Sousa Mendes, Juan Pedro Fuentes Garcia, Francisco José Ascenso Campos, Ruperto Antunez Menayo, Duarte Fernando da Rosa Belo Patronilho Araújo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Estadual de Maringá 2011-08-01
• Series: Revista da Educação Física
• Subjects: Tenis; Constrangimentos ambientais; Desempenho desportivo
• Online Access: http://periodicos.uem.br/ojs/index.php/RevEducFis/article/view/10540
• ISSN: 0103-3948; 1983-3083

This study analyzes the constraints in the tennis match and the coaching methods most valued and used by the tennis competition coaches. A questionnaire was validated in three languages, Portuguese, English and Spanish (pilot study). Later, 140 coaches participated on the study. Data analysis was conducted by a factorial analysis which resulted in the acceptance of two factorial structures: constraints on the performance of the service and on the coaching methods. The coaches considered the coordination, central physical fatigue, self-confidence, concentration, emotional control and motivation very important in the performance of the first serve. We conclude that the trend of competition training is for the accuracy, the practice in conditions that mimic competition, psychological skills training on the court and power. The coaches overemphasize the intrinsic factors over the extrinsic factors and the coaching is not directed to the functional motor variability.