THE EFFECT OF A COMMON COACHING CUE ON BODY KINEMATICS IN THE TENNIS SERVE

Abstract

The objective of this study was to quantify the kinematic changes promoted by instructing players to implement a common coaching constraint, an arabesque finish position, in the tennis serve. A 10 camera 500 Hz 3D VICON MX motion analysis system recorded the service action of 8 elite junior players as they performed 3 normal serves and 3 serves with an arabesque finish. The arabesque finish promoted greater frontal plane trunk range of motion and angular velocity (shoulder over shoulder rotation) as well as increased leg drive; variables established as important in the development of serve speed. Instructing players to finish in an arabesque position can therefore be considered an effective way to elicit the desired kinematic change, and is consequently an effective instructional cue.