Using Serve Return Training Programs to Influence Self-Efficacy Perceptions of Division III Tennis Players

Abstract

Video training showed improvements to athletic skills such as decision-making and anticipation (Broadbent, Causer, Williams, & Ford, 2015). Research indicates that development of these skills results in athletes reporting higher degrees of confidence in their abilities (Caserta & Singer, 2007). Confidence encompasses the idea of self-efficacy, which refers to someone’s perceptions that in a specific task or situation, he or she has the ability necessary to successfully perform the desired action (Bandura, 1977). Performance is explained when combining self-efficacy perceptions and physical performance factors (Feltz, 1988). Barling and Abel (1983), for example, found that aspects of tennis performance, some of which include footwork, anticipation, accuracy, and concentration, consistently were positively related to self-efficacy. Two methods shown to increase confidence levels include task-specific practice and mastery experiences (Caserta & Singer, 2007). However, a research gap occurs in studying self-efficacy and deliberate practice techniques together during both practice and competition situations. As part of a larger study, the purpose of this study was to investigate effect of deliberate practice methods, either through a video analysis or reaction time training program, on the serve return self-efficacy of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III tennis players. The 18 participants (8 male, 10 female) were randomly assigned to either the serve return video training program or the reaction time training program. At the conclusion of the deliberate practice training programs, participants audio recorded responses to open-ended questions about the effects of their assigned training program on serve receive performance, and their general reactions to their training program. The results of this study indicated that most participants perceived the training program as having a positive impact including increasing their confidence, improving their serve return ability, and developing faster reaction times.