TRAINING LEVELS OF TECHNICAL-SPORTIVE ACTIONS OF 12 TO 14-YEAR-OLD TENNIS PLAYERS

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to compare the average frequence of practice of three tennis play initiatives (Serve, Serve Return and Baseline Game) and two types of strokes (Preparation Strokes and Definition Strokes). Thus, it was used the “Inventário do Treino Técnico-Desportivo do Tenista - 12” for a sample of 37 male tennis players (“Under 14” category), competing in an international tennis event. Repeated Measures ANOVA was used to compare the playing initiatives. In order to compare types of strokes, it was used a paired samplet-test. Significant differences (p< 0,05) were found among the investigated playing initiatives and among the types of strokes. This result may indicate an early specialization of the technical-sportive actions among Brazilian junior tennis players.