[Analysis of advance visual indices in receiving a tennis serve]

The aim of this study is to analyse the differential visual patterns of expert and non-expert tennis players preparing to return a tennis serve. Two 16 mm films were used for testing purposes; 27 services were delivered and recorded on each film. The subjects had to identify verbally the type of serve delivered. During film viewing, eye movements were recorded by an Eye Mark Recorder NAC V. Results revealed that the expert players seem to use cues from the general position of the body during the ritual phase and cues from the racquet position during the execution phase.