Tennis Racket Length Comparisons and Their Effect on Beginning College Players’ Playing Success and Achievement
in Journal of Teaching in Physical EducationClick name to view affiliation
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The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of three racket lengths (26, 27, and 28 inches) in relation to beginning player skills test and last 5-day game playing achievement over an 18-day tennis unit. Participants (N = 83) were randomly assigned to one of three racket length groups in one of four instructional classes. Analysis of the skills test data indicated that students who used the shorter 26-inch racket attained greater achievement for the forehand groundstroke. However, no differences were reported between racket lengths for either the forehand or backhand groundstroke when examining game-play results or for the backhand groundstroke during skills testing.
Tracy L. Pellett is with the Department of Physical Education at Northern Illinois University, 224 Anderson Hall, DeKalb, IL 60115-2854. Curt L. Lox is with the Department of Health, Recreation, and Physical Education at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Edwardsville, IL 62026.
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