Abstract

The research uses a cognitive perspective to analyse the visual and motor behaviour of a sample of junior tennis players during their perception of different shot movements made by an opposing player. Visual fixations (time and location) were recorded using the ASL SE5000 eye tracking system and the time parameters of motor response (reaction time, movement time and reaction response time) and their effectiveness using a technological system created for this purpose. The findings show that the players pay more visual attention to the upper limbs (head, shoulders and trunk) for forehand shots while they focus more on the hitting member (hitting arm and racquet hand) and ball for backhand shots. In addition, players react and respond earlier to forehand as opposed to backhand shots, and to paralell as opposed to cross-court shots. There are no differences in the effectiveness of the response according to the type or direction of the shot. It is recommended that tennis coaches should teach a visual strategy aimed at searching for movement cues by type and direction of the shot, especially for backhands and cross-court shots, as they make it more difficult to react and respond earlier.