Improving the ‘how’and ‘what’decisions of elite table tennis players

Markus Raab, R.S.W. Masters, J. Maxwell

Publication: Contribution to journalJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Training methods in sport usually focus on improving either technical or tactical aspects of performance, ignoring the fact that successful performance requires the athlete to simultaneously decide what movement to perform and how it should be executed. Young elite table tennis players were trained, in a first phase, to improve their forehand and backhand movements and, in a second phase, to make a tactical switch between forehand and backhand movements. Half of the players took part in behavioral training focusing on how to perform the required movements, whereas half received additional video feedback about their technical and tactical performance (decision training). The results indicate that improvements of how decisions (techniques) and what decisions (tactics) can occur as a consequence of combining technical and tactical training. These results were stable in delayed Post-test analyses of competitive matches. It was concluded that a combination of both technical and tactical training is beneficial to elite table tennis performers, particularly during early seasonal training programs.
Original languageEnglish
JournalHuman movement science
Volume24
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)326 - 344
Number of pages19
ISSN0167-9457
Publication statusPublished - 30.06.2005

Citation