Introduction
In the realm of tennis coaching, a critical aspect often overlooked is the type of attentional focus encouraged in players. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of distinguishing between internal and external focus in enhancing tennis performance. This article delves into the differences between these two types of focus and offers insights for tennis coaches on how to leverage them effectively, supported by scientific evidence and personal anecdotes from coaching experiences.
The Contrast between Internal and External Focus
- Internal Focus: Involves concentrating on one’s body movements. For example, a player focuses on the angle of their wrist during a forehand stroke.
- External Focus: Directs attention towards the effects of the movement in the environment. For instance, a player might focus on the trajectory of the ball or its intended landing spot on the opponent’s court.
The Impact on Tennis Performance
Research has consistently shown that an external focus of attention can significantly enhance the performance and learning of tennis skills compared to an internal focus:
- Enhanced Accuracy and Skill Learning: Studies have demonstrated that instructions promoting an external focus of attention lead to greater accuracy in shots and improved learning of tennis skills, particularly in young players. This was evident in tasks like hitting tennis balls at a target, where external focus led to higher accuracy in both retention and transfer tests compared to internal focus (Hadler et al., 2014).
- Better Decision-Making: Tennis involves quick decision-making and strategy. An external focus has been shown to enhance decision-making skills during gameplay, which is a crucial element of tennis performance (Tsetseli et al., 2016).
- Application in Coaching: Coaches often unintentionally induce an internal focus in their communication with athletes. However, shifting towards instructions that promote an external focus could significantly enhance the learning and performance of tennis skills (Keller et al., 2022).
Personal Anecdotes from Coaching
In my coaching career, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative power of external focus. One notable example is a junior player who struggled with serve accuracy. Initially, our focus was on the mechanics of her serve, an internal focus strategy. Despite technical proficiency, her serves lacked consistency. The breakthrough came when we shifted the focus to the ball’s desired landing zone in the service box, an external focus approach. This minor shift led to remarkable improvements in her serve accuracy and consistency.
Key Points for Coaches
- Encourage players to focus on the outcome of their actions, such as the path of the ball, rather than their body movements.
- Use language that directs attention externally. For example, “Aim for the corner of the service box” instead of “Extend your arm fully during the serve”.
- Observe how different players respond to internal vs external focus cues. Individual differences may require tailored coaching strategies.
Conclusion
The evidence is clear: an external focus of attention can significantly enhance tennis performance. Coaches should consider incorporating external focus strategies in their training regimes to facilitate better skill acquisition, accuracy, and decision-making in players. The shift from an internal to an external focus could be the key to unlocking a player’s full potential on the court.
