FACTORS CORRELATED WITH SEPAK TAKRAW SERVE SPEED

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to provide a better understanding of what contributes to the speed of the ball during the serve. The serves of seven national elite players (24 ±2.9 y, 182 ±5 cm and 77.9 ±8.8 kg) were filmed during training sessions. Serve speed was measured by radar gun. Selected kinematic variables were calculated from digitised video of 10 to 20 serves per player. Correlation and regression analyses were undertaken. Serve speed was predicted by several different combinations of variables for subjects. Higher order predictors were most often foot-to-foot distance and height of ball at contact. Different instructions should be given to each individual elite athlete in order to improve their speed and consistency of serve.