Beginner
This player has limited experience and is still working primarily on getting the ball into play. They are learning basic grips & contact point & layout of the tennis court for the first time. This player is not ready to compete.
This player needs on-court experience. This player struggles with the contact point & stroke development. Needs continued lessons and is not familiar with basic court positions for singles or doubles. This player is not yet ready to compete.
Beginner – Intermediate
This player is learning to judge & move where the ball is going although court coverage is weak. Footwork & hitting is not yet in sync and the goal is to sustain a short rally of slow pace with other players of the same ability. Singles & doubles positions are becoming familiar, players should be able to keep score while stroke development continues with basic grip changes for forehand/backhand/serve.
Intermediate
This player is fairly consistent when hitting medium paced shots, but is not comfortable with all strokes. Lacks execution when trying to direct or control the ball with any kind of pace in order to keep the ball deep. At this point stroke & movement development continues with emphasis on serve toss, grip and motion. Player should be able to serve ball into box rather consistently. Player should be able to play social matches at this point.
This player has achieved improved stroke dependability with directional control on moderate shots, but still lacks depth and variety (topspin/slice/drop shots) and sound footwork. This player exhibits more aggressive net play, has improved court coverage, and is developing teamwork in doubles or confidence for singles. This player enjoys match play.
This stage is more about what a player can do on court vs what they can’t. Players at this stage need to start using mental skills for concentration, strategy & knowing when to finish points. These players are typically Beginner club level players.
Intermediate – advanced
This player has dependable strokes, including directional control and depth on both forehand and backhand sides on moderate shots, plus the ability to use lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys with some success. This player occasionally forces errors when serving. Rallies may be lost due to impatience & consistency. Teamwork in doubles is evident. More dependable serve and second serve variation (flat/topspin or slice second serve). This player is competitive and typically club level / tournament player.
Advanced
This player has begun to possess power and spins and handles pace. Has sound footwork, can control depth of shots, and is beginning to vary game plan according to opponents. This player can hit first serves with power and accuracy and place the second serve. This player tends to overhit on difficult shots. Aggressive net play is common in doubles. Points are won or lost on serve many times and player has clear weapons.
This player is very competitive. These players tend to be tournament players.
This player has good shot anticipation, footwork and frequently has an outstanding shot or attribute around which a game may be structured. This player can regularly hit winners or force errors off of short balls and can put away volleys, successfully execute lobs, drop shots, half volleys, overhead smashes, and has good depth and spin on most 2nd serves. Power, consistency, weapons, strategies and dependable shots in stressful situations this player also possesses.