Video Analysis of Own Stroke: 25% of course mark.

EXPECTATIONS

Students will be required to analyze a video clip of themselves performing one of the following strokes: Forehand groundstroke, Backhand groundstroke, volley (Backhand or Forehand) or serve. This is to be presented at the end of the course as a final term paper (including video pictures). The paper should be between 1000 – 1400 words and typed. Computerized video clips will be prepared in class to be used in this assignment. Students are required to develop an analysis of their own stroke and to develop an interpretation of how to improve their stroke. Sources should be referenced using an APA format. It is recommended that students make use of course text from PE341 – Biomechanics –

Carr, G. (1997). Mechanics of sport. Windsor: Humand Kinetics.

Copies of skill analysis chapters are on reserve in the Resource center in McKinnon. This assignment should be typed.

Other tennis texts on reseve in Mckinnon Resource center include:

Claxton, D. (1999). Winning edge series: Tennis. Toronto: WCB McGraw-Hill.

Johnson, J., & Xanthos, P. (1997). Tennis (Seventh ed.). New York: WCB McGraw-Hill.

These texts can be used as can any other text that offers an informed insight on the analysis of a tennis stroke. Websites and tennis magazines can be used as support material if accompanied by a recognized published text.

RECOMMENDED FORMAT

Students are expected to select eight frames from their video clip, two frames for each of the four phases of the skill (i.e., prep, wind-up, force-generation and follow-through/recovery phases). Examples of eight frames strokes performed by skilful performers can be found on the course website under the link <Resources for stroke analysis>. As described in Carr (1997), a stroke analysis should include an aim for the skill followed by a break-down for each of the phases of a skill focusing on the mechanical elements that enable an effective performance (i.e. momentum, elastic energy, stability, ground-reaction force, length of lever, angular velocity, weight transfer). Include the type of grip used for the stroke. It is recommended that a brief analysis be made of a skilful performers stroke execution then a comparison made to your own performance. Recommendations for changes in the execution of your own stroke should be included with an explanation of how these changes will improve the performance of the stroke.

Print outs of skilful performance of the stroke and own performance of the stroke is expected and will greatly assist in analysis. To refer to a picture, label it as a figure (1, 2 etc.) then in the text refers to fig. 1 or fig.2 when referring to the respective picture.

CHECKLIST BEFORE HANDING IN:

[ ] Typed

[ ] Four phases to the skill

[ ] Print out of skilful performance of stroke

[ ] Print out of own performance of stroke

[ ] Recommendations for improvement in own performance of a stroke.

[ ] Referenced using APA style

This sheet with checklist ticked off must handed in with assignment for the assignment to be accepted.