THE EFFECT OF EQUIPMENT SCALING ON BEGINNER TENNIS PLAYER LEARNING AND PERFORMANCE

Research summary

Background:
A common recommendation within junior sports is for the equipment to be scaled (modified) to the needs of children. The reasons for modification are usually twofold: first to enhance the acquisition of skills; and second to increase fun/motivation, in turn maximising the prospects of continued participation in the sport. Tennis Australia launched the Hot Shots tennis program with a view to achieving those objectives, and recently commissioned research to evaluate the efficacy of scaled equipment among children new to the sport.

Aim:
To examine the effectiveness of equipment scaling (tennis ball compression and court size), as used in the Hot Shots tennis program, on the learning and enjoyment of young beginner tennis players.

Participants:
Primary school-aged boys and girls from Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School with limited to no previous tennis playing experience participated voluntarily and with parental consent. The children were involved in seven sessions that utilised Hot Shots equipment/activities and that were organised by Tennis Australia qualified coaches.

Findings:
- Children who practised under scaled or modified conditions – as in Hot Shots – were provided with more opportunities to play (i.e. hit more balls) than those children who participated under adult conditions (see Figure below).

- With more opportunities to play, these children experienced more success (i.e. hit more balls in) and also rated their tennis experience as more enjoyable.

- In other words, the research illustrated that MODIFIED COURTS / BALLS (as in Hot Shots) = MORE OPPORTUNITIES + MORE SUCCESS + MORE FUN.