Levels of Play

Note: This guide is expected to be followed to the best of a coordinator’s ability. A blatant variance from this guide will be reviewed by the Junior Recreation Committee.

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Levels
Beginner
Lower Intermediate
Upper Intermediate
Advanced

Ball Type by Division
 

Beginner (BEG)

• General Experience - Entering competition for the first time.
• Game Strategy - Just learning to play and primarily working on getting the ball into play.
• Movement & Footwork - Understands correct positioning when returning or serving. Lacks court recognition after point has started.     
• Ball Control & Placement - Consistent hitting soft paced loopy balls. Does not have intended placement or direction.
• Strokes - Comfortable hitting forehands, backhands and serves.
• Net Play - Can make contact with the ball when at the net.
• Serve - Able to serve some balls into the correct box from the baseline.
• Consistency - Inconsistent but can sometimes sustain a slow-paced rally with someone of the same ability.

Lower Intermediate (INT LO)

• General Experience - Prior match experience including JTT & some challenger tournaments.
• Game Strategy - Lacks shot anticipation on returns and therefore can only react.
• Movement & Footwork - Lacks ability to anticipate and therefore has difficulty covering the court. Limited footwork.    
• Ball Control & Placement - Consistent when hitting medium paced shots but lacks execution when trying for directional control, depth or power.
• Strokes - Not comfortable with all strokes including volleys, lobs, overheads and approach shots.
• Net Play - Can volley slower paced balls on both forehand and backhand side.
• Serve - (5 out of 10 times). Limited double-faults.
• Consistency - Fairly consistent hitting medium paced shots within reach. Difficulty ending points.

Upper Intermediate (INT HI)

• General Experience - Extensive match  experience and some success with  challenger tournaments.
• Game Strategy - Has an idea of what game strategy to use but lacks ability to fully execute game plan.
• Movement & Footwork - Can cover the court well but may make errors because of timing and footwork.     
• Ball Control & Placement - Improved stroke dependability with directional control on moderate shots.
• Strokes - Comfortable with all strokes. Player needs to improve control of height, depth, direction and speed.
• Net Play - Can volley medium paced balls and return with directional intent.
• Serve - Player is developing more spin and power on the first serve and seldom double-faults.
  (7 out of 10 times)
• Consistency - Consistent hitting medium paced shots but may error when opponent uses varying pace, depth and spins.

Advanced (ADV)

• General Experience - Playing championship level tournaments with  some success.
• Game Strategy - Can attempt to vary game plan according to their opponents & can successfully execute strategy.
• Movement & Footwork - Can easily make adjustments to footwork and swing to execute a return.     
• Ball Control & Placement - Dependable strokes including directional intent, depth, spin and pace.
• Strokes - Can control depth of shots, pace, and use various spins.
• Net Play - Aggressive net play.
• Serve - Can hit first serves with power and accuracy and place the second serve with accuracy.
• Consistency - Can consistently return a variety of spins and paces from various depths with control.

Ball Type by Division