Skill Level

1. You want to learn to play tennis

1. Limited experience with stroke development
2. Still working primarily on getting the ball into the court
3. Problem with footwork
4. You are not yet ready to compete

1. You need on-court experience, with an emphasis on play
2. You struggle to find an appropriate contact point, needs stroke development/lessons
3. You are not yet familiar with basic positions for singles and doubles

1. You are learning to judge where the ball is going when receiving the ball, although movement and recovery are not in sync
2. You can sustain a rally of slow pace with other players of similar ability and is beginning to develop strokes
3. You are becoming more familiar with the basic positions for singles and doubles
4. You are ready to play social matches, leagues and low-level tournaments

Potential limitations: grip weaknesses; not attempting full swing on serve; inconsistent toss on serve; limited transitions to net

1. You are fairly consistent when hitting medium-paced shots, but is not comfortable with all strokes and lacks execution when trying for directional control, depth, pace or altering distance of shots.
2. Most common doubles formation is one up, one back

Potential limitations: consistency when applying or handling pace; difficulty handling shots “outside of their strike zone”; can be uncomfortable at the net

1. You have achieved improved stroke dependability with directional control on moderate shots, but still lacks depth, variety and the ability to alter distance of shots
2. The effective use of lobs, overheads, approach shots, and volleys is limited due to a lack of confidence
3. You are more comfortable at the net, has improved court awareness, and is developing teamwork in doubles

Potential limitations or strengths: “This is the level at which it begins to be about what Intermediate skills a player can display on court, not what they can’t.” Players at this level may start to utilize mental skills related to concentration, tactics and strategy

1. You have dependable strokes, including directional control, depth and the ability to alter distance of shots on both forehand and backhand sides during moderately paced play, plus the ability to use lobs, overheads, approach shots, and volleys with more success
2. You occasionally forces errors when serving. Rallies may be lost due to impatience. Teamwork in doubles is evident Potential strengths: less likely to beat themselves; more dependable second serve; recognizes opportunities to finish points

1. You have begun to vary the use of pace and spins, has good movement, can control distance and depth of shots, and is beginning to develop game plans according to strengths and weaknesses
2. You can hit the first serve with power and accuracy and can place the second serve
3. You tend to over hit on difficult shots. Aggressive net play is common in doubles.

Potential strengths: points are won and lost off the serve more often; better able to cover weaknesses; beginning to develop a weapon around which their game can be built

1. You have good shot anticipation and frequently has an outstanding shot or attribute around which their game can be structured
2. You have the confidence to regularly hit winners or force errors off of short balls and can put away volleys, can successfully execute lobs, drop shots, half volleys, overheads, and has good depth and spin on most second serves

Potential strengths: better decision making; covers and disguises weaknesses well; mentally tougher, but can still break down in stress situations

1. You have developed pace and/or consistency as a major weapon
2. You can vary strategies and styles of play in competitive situations and hit dependable shots in stress situations
3. You represent your university, schools for competition

Potential strengths: can hit offensively at any time; can vary strategies and styles of play in competitive situations; first and second serves can be depended upon in stress situations

1. You have intensive training for national tournaments or top level collegiate competition, and has obtained a national ranking
2. You represent your country in the national junior tournament

1. You represent your country for competition
2. You only need a hit partner to do warm-up