Pay attention! The influence of coach‐, content‐, and player‐related factors on focus of attention statements during tennis training

Abstract

It is well established that adopting an external focus of attention (EF) enhances motor learning when contrasted to an internal focus (IF) or a neutral condition. Despite consistent evidence for this performance-enhancing effect of an EF, recent studies show that coaches predominantly induce an IF in the communication with athletes. It remains, however, unknown whether and to what degree coach-, content-or player-related factors have an impact on the focus of attention during youth tennis training. Therefore, we recorded all statements from 10 tennis coaches during six training sessions with a total of 87 youth athletes aged 18 years or younger. All statements were categorized according to the focus they induced (IF, EF, neutral, best place to hit the ball, mix, no focus) and the form of communication (instruction, feedback). Of the relevant statements (n = 3049), 45.1% promoted an EF, whereas 33.1% induced an IF. Evaluation of coaches-, player-and content-specific features (education, age of coach/player, training content, skill level) showed that more statements with an IF were given when training beginners. The data also show more statements with an EF for instructions (59.0%) compared to feedback (43.0%). Our results contrast with other sports where instructions with an IF predominate. Thus, instrumented sports with external targets (e.g. tennis) might be better suited for inducing an EF. The data also show that coaches are more likely to use IF when communicating with beginners. Consequently, an EF should not be induced in every possible situation, even if this is often communicated so far. Highlights. This study shows for the first time that statements that induce an external focus of attention predominate in tennis. This result contrasts with results from other sports and suggests that racquet sports may be better suited for inducing an external attentional focus. . This study shows that coaches adapt their communication to the performance level of their athletes. The use of an external focus of attentions predominates when working with tennis players. However, the likelihood of inducing an EF is even higher when working with skilled tennis players when compared to beginners. . The way of communication (feedback vs. instruction) influences how coaches phrase their statements to athletes. The analysis revealed that coaches use more statements with an external focus of attentions for instructions compared to feedback.

Every story has two sides: evaluating information processing and ecological dynamics perspectives of focus of attention in skill acquisition

“…Research methodologies embracing the value of investigating attentional focus in more “naturalised” environments, are likely to give us a better understanding of the “what, when, why, and how” of different focus instructions and strategies, and subsequently identify why these discrepancies exist so that we might ensure efficacy of coach education. Whilst several studies have now adopted observational approaches to identify the nature of attentional focus instructions and strategies employed in sport and rehabilitation environments [e.g., ( 32 – 35 )], richer qualitative approaches [e.g. ( 36 )], have advanced this further to: (a) explore the functionality of different focus instructions across both practice and competition environments; (b) investigate differences in attentional focus across different aspects of the game i.e., the short vs. long game; and (c) identify the mechanisms influencing adoption of attentional foci, e.g., self-generated vs. coach-led instruction.…”

A Tracing-based Tennis Coaching and Smart Training Platform using Artificial Intelligence and Computer Vision

“…A new array is created containing the ranges of the occurrence for the labels. For example, if the input array was [0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4], the output array will be [(0, 2), (3, 5), (6, 7), (8,9), (10,10)] because the 0 occurred at indexes 0 -2, etc. For simplicity, we added an additional if statement that limits the length of these ranges.…”

“…If the range is less than 2, then the interval is considered to be too small, and this interval is instead combined with the previous one. In the previous example, instead of outputting [(0, 2), (3,5), (6,7), (8,9), (10,10)], the algorithm will consider the (6, 7) too small, combining it with (3, 5) to be (3, 7), etc. In some cases, however, these matched frames might decrease.…”

“…Having an in-person coach offers an advantage because coaches are able to make better observations and provide feedback on players' techniques. In addition, coaches are shown to adopt an external focus of attention which can stimulate growth in players [9]. These methods lack a combination of convenience and accuracy.…”

An external focus of attention enhances table tennis backhand stroke accuracy in low-skilled players

“…Thus, further research in this vein is recommended. In addition, Keller et al [ 25 ] suggest that racquet sports may be better suited for inducing an external focus of attention during training due to the instrumentation with external targets. Unfortunately, insufficient research has been conducted on attentional focus in racquet sports (e.g., badminton, table tennis, squash, tennis, etc.).…”