Effect of Modification Rules in Competition on Technical–Tactical Action in Young Tennis Players (Under-10)

Abstract

Adapting competitions to young players' characteristics is an important pillar in the optimal teaching-learning process. The objective of the present study is to analyze the effect of modifying net height (from 0.91 to 0.80 m) and court dimensions (from 23.77 × 8.23 m to 18 × 8.23 m) for under-10 (U-10) tennis players on the following: (a) kinds of technical and tactical basic, situational, and special strokes; (b) tennis players' hitting area; (c) landing location of the serve; (d) ball landing location after the serve; (d) stroke effectiveness; and (e) rally length. The study design was quasiexperimental in nature, observing the fluctuation/change in technical-tactical variables of the tennis players when playing a "Tennis 10s Green Competition" (GC) with the current federative rules and a redesigned competition "Modified Competition" (MC) including altered net height and court dimensions based on small-sided games (SSGs) and equipment scaling. Twenty U-10 tennis players were studied (age of players = 9.46 ± 0.66 years, average weekly training in tennis = 2.90 ± 1.07 h, years of experience = 3.65 ± 1.53 years). The results showed that in MC, there was a greater technical-tactical variability compared with the GC in terms of the following: (a) greater service effectiveness; (b) more situational and special strokes; and (c) a more equitable change in the distribution of hitting and ball landing locations. The values of MC showed that the current adaptation rules and equipment in federated U-10 competitions might not be enough to improve the teaching-learning process under the comprehensive approach. The current competition for U-10 tennis players (stage green) should be redesigned, in order to build an optimal process of affordances to develop a multidimensional positive impact during this training stage.

Using Smart Sensors to Monitor Physical Activity and Technical–Tactical Actions in Junior Tennis Players

“…In addition, the round robin system enhanced the time of physical activity to achieve healthy values, however, the current competition, based on knockout, does not ensure that all participants reach a practice time over 60 minutes. The present study confirms previous findings and contributes additional evidence that suggests redesigning Green competitions to improve the teaching-learning process for under-10 tennis players [37,58].…”

“…One possible explanation for these results may be the lack of training in global and integral situations to develop different skills and behaviors in problem-solving. [58]. Another possible factor that does not allow players to perform creative and varied behaviors may be a lack of adaptation of the rules, playing spaces and sports equipment to meet the needs of players in Green competitions [37,58].…”

“…[58]. Another possible factor that does not allow players to perform creative and varied behaviors may be a lack of adaptation of the rules, playing spaces and sports equipment to meet the needs of players in Green competitions [37,58]. According to Grambow et al [59], is important extrapolate these findings, working underutilized strokes into the training process at the Green stage, supporting variability in practice in the long and short term.…”

“…Although using flat forehands is desirable for offensive play, it is not advisable to overuse it from the point of view of hitting variability. This lack of play variability limits learning by not providing different experiences that encourage creativity processes in problem-solving at an early stage [58]. In addition, the round robin system enhanced the time of physical activity to achieve healthy values, however, the current competition, based on knockout, does not ensure that all participants reach a practice time over 60 minutes.…”

“…In agreement with Bayer et al [37], the first proposal would reduce net height and court dimensions (net height = 0.85 m and court dimensions = 20.77 × 7.19 m) for the following reasons: (a) volleys would be easier, because the net is closer and smaller, also the court would be less wide so that it covers the whole net; (b) the shorter court would force the players to hit topspin groundstrokes so that the ball drops to the ground quicker (Magnus effect) and players would be encouraged to use them. Grounded in the proposal conducted by Gimenez-Egido et al [58], was an interest in developing a competition with the following characteristics: (a) a round robin format; (b) each match is played in a different scaled court (1 st match = 18.00 × 7.19 m; 2 nd match = 18.00 × 8.23 m; 3 rd match =20.77 × 7.19 m; 4 th match = 20.77 × 8.23 m); (c) net height=0.80 m; and (d) points won with backhand are worth two points. This competition would create different experiences and opportunities to exploit players' learning to the fullest under ecological-dynamics methodologies.…”