Effects of stimulus cueing on the acquisition of groundstrokes by beginning tennis players

A multiple baseline design was used to examine the effects of stimulus self-cueing on the acquisition of forehand and backhand returns by beginning tennis players (N = 24). A four-step verbal cueing program was introduced during intervention. Both the use of the technique and the successful number of returns were recorded. Each group showed an acceleration in skill acquisition during intervention, with both forehand and backhand returns improving over 45% from baseline conditions. Implications for the teaching of beginning tennis skills are discussed.