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An analysis of tactical thinking in tennis

Thesis (PhD (Sport Sc) (Sport Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to explore the knowledge of tennis tactics of
a group of South African tennis coaches. A secondary purpose was to gather their
perceptions about where they believe they learned about tactics. A mixed
methodology approach was used. The first was a quantitative knowledge test
administered to 37 coaches. The second was a qualitative semi-structured
interview with five coaches.
The results of the study showed that there was a significant difference in
the choices of tactical options in 43 game scenarios between the less experienced
and the more experienced coaches. No differences were found between coaches
who were coaching at the top level compared to the lower levels. No differences
were found between coaches who had been top tennis players and those who had
not. The majority of the coaches in this study reported that they had learned
tactics through trial and error.
Problems facing the development of top level tennis coaches in South
Africa are discussed in relation to their knowledge of tactics and the priorities for
the development of mass participation supported by national sport policy. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die hoofdoel van hierdie studie was om ʼn groep Suid-Afrikaanse
tennisafrigters se kennis van tennistaktiek te ondersoek. ʼn Sekondêre doel was
om uit te vind waar die afrigters glo hulle sodanige kennis opgedoen het. Die
navorsingsbenadering het uit gemengde metodologieë bestaan. Die eerste was ʼn
kwantitatiewe kennistoets wat onder 37 afrigters afgeneem is. Die tweede was ʼn
kwalitatiewe semigestruktureerde onderhoud met vyf afrigters.
Die resultate van die studie dui daarop dat die minder ervare en meer
ervare afrigters geen beduidende verskil getoon het in hul taktiese keuses in 43
wedstrydscenario’s nie. Geen verskil is opgemerk tussen afrigters op die topvlak
en dié op laer vlakke nie. Boonop was daar geen verskil tussen afrigters wat eens
topspelers was en diegene wat nié was nie. Volgens die meeste van die afrigters
in die studie het hulle hul kennis van tennistaktiek deur die metode van leer en
probeer opgedoen.
Die studie bespreek die uitdagings in die ontwikkeling van
topvlaktennisafrigters in Suid-Afrika wat betref hul kennis van taktiek en die
prioriteite vir die bevordering van massadeelname ingevolge nasionale
sportbeleid.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/6549
Date03 1900
CreatorsThomas, Brendan Nigel
ContributorsBressan, E. S., University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Education. Dept. of Sport Science.
PublisherStellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
Languageen_ZA
Detected LanguageUnknown
TypeThesis
Format202 p. : ill.
RightsUniversity of Stellenbosch

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