GPAI: Tennis Singles “Off-the-ball movements”

CODER: Tim PLAYER: Mike

CATEGORY - Criteria for Appropriate rating of the off-the-ball movement

1. Base – Recover to position behind or attacking opponent’s target area.

2. Decision Making - Read for anticipatory movement of moving-back behind baseline to press/defend or coasting-in to attack opponent’s response.

3. Cover – Respond with split-step preparation as opponent strikes the ball

4. Adjust – React to ball with push-off movement into shot execution.

Shot

Won (W)

Lost (L)

point

Base

Decision making

Cover

Adjust

Skill

Execution

1^st

2^nd

1 to 5 rate

Totals

(mode)

Index (A/IA)

3.25

1.25

Key: A = Appropriate IA = Inappropriate. Index= Appropriate Score (A)/Inappropriate Score (IA).

SKILL EXECUTION

Rating	Criteria
5	Showed effective tactical awareness by selecting the appropriate shots and executing them appropriately for the situation in the rally.
4	Showed good tactical awareness by selecting the appropriate shots, mostly executing them appropriately for the situation in the rally.
3	Showed tactical awareness by attempting the appropriate shots for the situation in the rally, but ineffectively skill execution due to poor position and/or shot preparation.
2	Showed erratic tactical awareness, at times attempting an inappropriate shot for the situation in the rally.
1	Showed a lack of tactical awareness with poor shot selection, erratic shot execution and inappropriate court positioning.

Stages for assessment

1. Select 3 of the 4 off-the-ball movements

2. Record until 20 shots played or two games completed.

3. Add up totals and calculate the index scores. Reflect on what the data indicates with the player.

4. Write first reflection on back of this sheet.

5. Select 4^th off-the-ball movement.

6. Focus upon skill execution rating to rate each point.

7. Record until 20 shots played or two games completed.

8. Add up off-the-ball movement and calculate the index score. Reflect on data.

9. Interpret skill rating for player in light of points won and lost.

10. Write second reflection on the back of this sheet.

FIRST REFLECTION ON OFF-THE-BALL MOVEMENTS

Base Index = 17

Decision Index = 15

Cover Index = 3.25

Adjust Index = _____

Mike effectively covered his opponent’s target area always returning to the center of where the opponent could hit the ball resulting in 17 for the base index

He effectively moved forward or backwards based on the way he saw his opponent setting up for his shot, hence a score of 15.

As Mike prepared for the shot he tended to wait until the ball was about to bounce before he moved. He needs to work on doing a split step just after his opponent strokes the ball in order to load up elastic energy in his legs ready to quickly adjust for the next shot.

SECOND REFLECTION ON SKILL RATING AND OFF-THE-BALL MOVEMENT

__Adjust__Index = __1,25__

Skill execution mode score = ___4____

Generally, Mike selects the appropriate shot for the situation in the rally. He varies the height of his stroke and hits to the spaces. He can develop his use of spin but shows good control. His mode score of 4 represents a good all-round game with ability to play from the baseline and from the net. Better footwork would improve his ability to dictate the point.

Linked to Mike’s need for footwork as the opponent strokes the ball he needs to work on transferring his weight in to his strokes. At times, he was not moving into his shot but having to stroke the ball outside of his hitting zone. This made his recovery more difficult and resulted in a loss of momentum in his stroke execution and movement around the court. The ADJUST score of 1.25 indicates some success at weight transfer but room for improvement.