Effects of technical drill and plyometric training on shot accuracy in tennis athletes aged 16–19 with different agility levels

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. Accuracy in tennis represents an important element of technical performance, contributing to successful shot execution during match play. Agility, as one of the physical components, can influence an athlete’s ability to reach optimal positions and maintain control during strokes, which may affect shot accuracy. Although various training methods are used to target agility and accuracy, their relative effectiveness continues to attract practical interest. This study aimed to analyze and empirically examine the effect of technical drill and plyometric training on accuracy, considering the agility levels of tennis athletes. Materials and Methods. This experimental study employed a 2 × 2 factorial design, involving an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG). The sample consisted of 24 athletes, allocated through ordinal pairing using the A-B-B-A method based on initial agility test results. The groups were categorized as A1B1 (EG-High Agility), A1B2 (EG-Low Agility), A2B1 (CG-High Agility), and A2B2 (CG-Low Agility). The intervention consisted of technical drill and plyometric training (EG) and routine training (CG). It was implemented over six weeks, with three sessions per week. Training dosage for the technical drill was 3–5 sets, 8–12 repetitions, with 60–120 seconds of recovery at 60–85% intensity. For plyometric training, the dosage was 3–5 sets, 10–20 repetitions, with 60–180 seconds of recovery at 85–95% intensity. Data were collected using the Illinois Agility Test and the Groundstroke Accuracy Test. Results. Two-way ANOVA results showed a significant effect of the experimental program on accuracy (F = 33.608, p < 0.001), with a high coefficient of determination (R² = 0.834, or 83.4%). Tukey’s HSD post hoc test revealed that A1B1 outperformed A2B1 and A2B2 (p < 0.001). A1B2 also performed significantly better than A2B1 and A2B2 (p < 0.001). The findings demonstrate that a six-week program combining technical drills and plyometric training significantly and effectively improved shot accuracy in tennis athletes aged 16–19. Conclusions. The training model examined in this study reflects a structured integration of technical and physical components in tennis practice. Its application may inform program development aimed at supporting targeted performance characteristics in adolescent athletes. Such integration also aligns with pedagogical principles of holistic athlete development, where motor learning is enhanced through purposeful coordination of physical and technical stimuli in training contexts.