Running head: TECHNICAL AND TACTICAL DEMANDS IN SPORTS 1

Technical and Tactical Demands in Sports

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TECHNICAL AND TACTICAL DEMANDS IN SPORTS 2

Introduction

All sports players need some array of technical as well as tactical ability. Moreover,

sports performers should be aware of the implication of technical and tactical perspectives

needed to facilitate favorable competition and improvement. While some technical skills

simplistic and used in all sports, others are specific to one or a few sports. For instance, tennis

serve, sprint start and golf swing are just some of the examples of technical skills that are

specific to one sport. This paper will present the tactical as well as technical demands of three

sports. Moreover, the paper will evaluate the importance together with the function of such

technical and tactical demands.

Basketball

The technical and tactical demands in basketball encompass receiving, blocking,

dribbling, passing, and shooting. Normally, player bends his knees facing the opponents net

while holding the ball in front. Secondly, the opponent will hold will raise the ball to the head

level. Consequently, the performer gets in control of the ball. Another tactical technique is

dribbling. Even though this is a tactical demand in football, it is executed differently in

basketball. The performer combines both discrete and discrete approaches to achieve the

perfect dribbling in basketball (Howley& Franks, 2003). Dripping is important in basketball

as it facilitates player to move the ball forward while aiming driving and eventually shooting.

To dribble the ball, the performer needs to use the fingertips and palms of their hands to

perfectly bounce the ball with one hand at a time. The player can also change direction and

while passing the ball using the same hands. Unlike in football where dribbling is done using

the legs, basketball rules demands that a player dribbles using hands. On the other hand,

while shooting in football is done using legs, basketball rules demands that player uses his

hand. The technical demands in basketball include game plan embodied in problem-solving.

The players must limit the opponents momentum and energy through a perfect game plan
TECHNICAL AND TACTICAL DEMANDS IN SPORTS 3

and problem-solving techniques. One of the professional basketball players is Michael Jeffrey

Jordan, whereas he has retired, he was employed different technical and tactics demands in

basketball the made him successful basketball player (Howley & Franks, 2003).

Football

The tactical demands in football (soccer) are so many that a football player needs to

master larger number for maximum success. Some of the tactical demands include dribbling,

passing, heading and shooting. Dribbling is used in football to create space for shooting or

passing. It is also applicable in taking an opponent totally out of the game. When dribbling, a

player needs to a technical skill of control through jogging which the ball and using both

outside and inside of the foot. Under dribbling tactic, the speed technique helps in

maintaining the ball close to the player. Secondly, shooting tactic is important since it is

executed when a player needs to score. To shoot, a player needs to approach the ball and kick

it in the direction of the goal. However, the body must be in a position to maintain accuracy.

While striking the ball with either of the legs, the player needs to lean back for a powerful

shot or get their body over the specific ball. Thirdly, control is another tactical demand in the

football. Getting the ball under control maintains the possession and hence added advantage

over the opponent (Sharkey & Gaskill, 2006).When a ball is passed to a player, and it comes

overhead, the player may control the ball through the chest as they lean back to allow the ball

land on their chest. As the ball hits the chest, it will fall, and at this point, the player will

touch the ball though the legs to take control of the ball. Once the ball is in control, the

performer will conveniently pass, shoot or dribble the ball towards the opponent teams goal

area. An accurate passing of the ball maintains the possession and creates chances to advance

toward the opponents goal area. On the other hand, the heading may be used as a means of

scoring, passing as well as winning back possession. One of the professional football players

is Lionel Messi. Messi plays for Barcelona club, and he is known for perfect dribbling tactics,
TECHNICAL AND TACTICAL DEMANDS IN SPORTS 4

accurate passes, and powerful shots. He scores at least one goal in most of the matches he

takes part (Sharkey& Gaskill, 2006).

Tennis

In tennis sport, there are different forms of tactics which are important to the

performer. Firstly, forehand stroke is the basic tactical demand in tennis for a player straight

from the beginner to a well-known professional tennis performer. The forehand stroke is

regarded as natural and powerful stroke in tennis. It functions a unique way. For instance, if a

performer is right-handed, and their opponent returns a tennis ball directly towards them,

their tendency pertains stepping to their left and hit the tennis ball from the right side of their

body. On the other hand, if a performer is left-handed, and the opponent hits the ball directly

towards their body, they are supposed to step to their right side and hit the tennis ball from

their left side of their body. Secondly, there is tennis serve which occurs at the beginning of

the tennis game. The performer who serves is regarded as the server, and the other opponent

is called receiver. However, there are different types of serves such as topspin-slice, topspin,

flat, kick and slice. The serve begins each point. An ideal serve is attained through the

executing the best stance; the most appropriate tennis serve grip as well as the perfect ball

toss. While serving, a player can execute body movements such as body coiling and knee

bending for appropriate power control when making the service. Also, the performer must

apply the correct racket swing as well as the correct contact point of contact. Significantly,

the serve must be established as the basic weapon as a performer achieves pinpoint depth and

accuracy. Tennis lob is a tactical demand in tennis sport. It is a shot that is utilized as

defensive or offensive shot. Offensive lob shot is executed when the opponent is close to the

net while defensive lob shot is executed when forcing an opponent back as they allow you to

gain ground and recover. On the other hand, there is a tennis volley tactical demand that is a

shot where the tennis ball is hit bounding on the ground. However, it is hit when the
TECHNICAL AND TACTICAL DEMANDS IN SPORTS 5

performer is playing net. The last tactical demand is the tennis overhead which is a shot hit on

above opponents head and regarded as the smash shot. To generate power to the tennis

overhead, it is a recommended that a player hits the tennis ball before it bounces.

Some of the technical demands are crucial in tennis. Firstly, the basic athletic ability is

important since the game involves massive physical activities. It requires speed, endurance,

agility and flexibility, (Sharkey & Gaskill, 2006). The speed is essential since it aids a

performer to run for the tennis ball as fast as possible. Agility is significant in anticipating the

opponent. The tendons and muscles need to be flexible for maximum power that will enable

the performer to hit the ball that appears to be unreachable. Also, hand-eye- coordination is

important as it leads to quick moves and reactions while in the game. One of the professional

tennis players is Sharapova. Sharapova has outshined her opponents in many of the games

she has participated. Her main success in tennis has been realized using different tactics and

techniques.

Choice of
Continuous Serial Discrete Environmental
Sport shots or Positioning
skill skill skill Conditions
strokes

Appropriate Moderate
Football Running Dribbling Throw-in upright
shot temperatures

Appropriate Leaning Moderate

Tennis Appropriate Moderate

M1
Using various choices of tactics, for instance, in Tennis: Forehand topspin is applied

in attacking shot, pushing the opponent back and hitting the ball deep. Secondly, the

defensive lob is applied in hitting tennis ball high as well as hitting the tennis ball deep. On
TECHNICAL AND TACTICAL DEMANDS IN SPORTS 6

the other hand, the defensive lob is used when a player is totally out of position and needs

enough time to recover and be fully ready for the subsequent short. For example, Sharapova,

a professional tennis player uses forehand topspin and defensive lob. But she makes a

decision of what is appropriate in specific situation before applying the two types of tactics. A

grass court tends to be quick as well as bouncing low. On the contrary, a clay court is low, the

bounce is high, and a tennis player can slip into their shots.Moreover, a tennis player

identifies an opponents weaknesses and strengths and attempt to focus on these weaknesses

and strengths by making them hit many shots in the areas they are so much uncomfortable

with. This move will affect their concentration and rhythm.

Whereas there are forehand topspin and defensive lob tactical demand in tennis,

dribbling and shooting tactics are applied in football. While applying dribbling, positioning

and shooting in football, a player uses both sides of their foot, change direction fast.

However, positioning is another tactic in football that aids a player be in the right place at the

most appropriate time. The player must stay compact to avoid shots; also, their bodies must

be in a position, they must employ covering or covering. A football player must create space,

especially when in possession; however, they should press and reduce space when running

out of possession.

On the other hand, dribbling, passing and shooting are tactical demands in basketball,

however, unlike football where dribbling, shooting and passing involves using foot, in

basketball, dribbling, passing and shooting involves using both hands. The choice of shots

entails making a decision of what is appropriate to do in a specific moment of a match. Also,

changes of direction and hand are applied to dribbling basketball close to a defender when a

player wants to shoot. A basketball player can switch the ball from one side to the other while

moving it from one hand to another. Moving towards the opponents net, a player may run as

a means of placing opponent out of position. Making opponents take tasks they are
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uncomfortable with will affect their concentration and rhythm. Among the three sports

running as technical demand is common. Running for a ball is useful in making use of the

space in basketball and football. Moreover, running in tennis can help reach a tennis ball and

save a point.
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References

Howley, T. & Franks, D. (2003).Health Fitness Instructors Handbook. New York: Human

Kinetics.

Sharkey, J. & Gaskill, E. (2006). Fitness and Health. New York: Human Kinetics.