The effectiveness of the training for the rear leg technique in tennis ground stroke

Abstract

Based on her own experiences, the author (a professional female tennis player) believes that skill in the “rear leg technique in the groundstroke phase” is a factor that determines tennis performance. This study examined the long-term effects of training in order to acquire this technique. Three college female tennis players performed a specific training program in the rear leg technique for 15 months. This program was based on the author's experience and “knack of movement”. Evaluations of this technique and swing motion by the players themselves and the author herself, in addition to the results of a hitting test, were recorded over a 15-month period of training. All players basically acquired the rear leg technique after the training period. They improved their self-evaluation capacity, hitting performance and results at official tournaments. This improvement in their performance is likely due to the fact that acquiring the rear leg technique develops weight transfer ability, body axis stability, and rapid action to the next movement in swing motion. The results of interviews of the subjects revealed several types of acquisition of the “knack”, and indicated that the knack is very difficult to express and shows individual variation. Consequently, the present findings indicate that acquisition of rear leg technique contributes to improvement of tennis performance.