Tennis Evaluation Form

Tennis has something no other sport does: a universal rating system. From a 3.0 club player to a 5.5 competitive player, the NTRP scale gives coaches a shared language for skill level. But a rating alone doesn't tell you what to work on. Your evaluation form bridges the gap—connecting overall level with specific technical, tactical, and mental skills that need development.

These forms cover the seven areas that define tennis performance: groundstrokes, serve, return, volleys, movement, tactical IQ, and coachability. Rating rubrics describe what you actually see on court at each level, so your evaluations stay consistent whether you're assessing a junior red-ball player or a competitive teenager preparing for tournaments.

Free Printable Tennis Evaluation Form

Score each player 1-5 across seven categories. The definitions below describe specific behaviors at each rating level, so your assessments focus on observable skills rather than general impressions. A player who "attacks with depth and spin, handles pace, disguises shots" earns higher marks than one who "can rally at slow pace but loses control with pace or movement."

Skill Evaluation Table

Skill Category	1	2	3	4	5
Groundstrokes	○	○	○	○	○
Serve	○	○	○	○	○
Return	○	○	○	○	○
Volleys	○	○	○	○	○
Movement	○	○	○	○	○
Tactics/IQ	○	○	○	○	○
Coachability	○	○	○	○	○
Notes
Total Score	_______ / 35

Rating Scale Definitions

Focus on what you observe during rallies and points. The gap between a "3" and a "5" often comes down to consistency under pressure and the ability to execute intentionally rather than accidentally.

Skill	1 (Needs Work)	2 (Below Avg)	3 (Average)	4 (Above Avg)	5 (Excellent)
Groundstrokes	Inconsistent contact, ball often goes into net or long	Can rally at slow pace but loses control with pace or movement	Consistent medium-pace rallies, developing topspin and slice	Directional control, can change pace and spin intentionally	Attacks with depth and spin, handles pace, disguises shots
Serve	Double faults frequently, inconsistent toss and contact	Gets serves in but lacks pace or placement	Reliable second serve, developing first serve placement	Consistent first serve with placement, spin variation on second	Weapon serve with pace, spin, and placement variety
Return	Often misses or pops up returns	Blocks returns back but without direction	Neutralizes serve, can direct returns cross-court	Attacks second serves, consistent depth on first serve returns	Takes time away from server, can attack any serve
Volleys	Avoids net, uncomfortable with volleys	Can punch volleys but lacks placement	Competent at net, can angle volleys	Aggressive net game, handles low volleys and overheads	Finishes points at net, touch and power volleys, confident overhead
Movement	Slow to react, poor court coverage	Reaches most balls but often off-balance	Good recovery, uses split step, covers court adequately	Anticipates well, quick first step, balanced on contact	Elite court coverage, explosive movement, recovers instantly
Tactics/IQ	Hits without pattern, doesn't exploit weaknesses	Recognizes some patterns but can't execute consistently	Understands court positioning, builds points	Constructs points, varies patterns, exploits opponent weaknesses	Elite game management, adjusts tactics mid-match, mental toughness
Coachability	Resists feedback, doesn't apply corrections	Listens but struggles to implement changes	Accepts feedback, makes effort to adjust	Applies corrections quickly, asks good questions	Self-corrects, actively seeks improvement, great attitude

What Does 3.0 to 3.5 Mean in Tennis?

The National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP)(opens in new tab) provides standardized skill levels from 1.5 (beginner) through 7.0 (touring professional). Understanding these levels helps you calibrate your evaluation expectations and communicate clearly with players about their development stage.

3.0 Level: Advanced Beginner

A 3.0 player can sustain rallies at a moderate pace but lacks consistency when facing pace or movement. They're beginning to place shots intentionally rather than just getting the ball back, but control breaks down when they try to add power. Most 3.0 players feel comfortable from the baseline but struggle with net approaches and serve placement.

3.5 Level: Intermediate

The jump to 3.5 shows improved stroke dependability with directional control on medium-paced shots. These players still lack depth and variety, but they're developing spin, exhibiting more aggressive net play, and showing better court coverage. The difference from 3.0 is consistency—a 3.5 can hit the shot they intend more often.

NTRP Quick Reference

Level	Description	Key Characteristics
2.5	Learning stroke mechanics	Can sustain a short rally of slow-paced shots. Learning basic positioning.
3.0	Consistent on moderate shots	Fairly consistent hitting medium-paced shots. Beginning to place shots. Lacks control when trying for power.
3.5	Stroke dependability	Achieved stroke dependability with directional control. Still lacks depth and variety. More aggressive net play developing.
4.0	Consistent with variety	Dependable strokes with directional intent on both forehand and backhand. Uses lobs, overheads, approach shots, and volleys.
4.5	Strong shot variety	Handles pace well. Covers weaknesses with good shot selection. Can vary strategies and styles of play.
5.0	Advanced player	Has developed power and consistency. Uses shot anticipation and varies strategies. First and second serves can be offensive weapons.

USTA updates ratings annually. Players can fall anywhere within a half-point range (e.g., 3.01 to 3.50 are both "3.5" players).

Using NTRP in Your Evaluations

NTRP provides overall level, but your evaluation form identifies specific strengths and weaknesses within that level. A 3.5 player might have 4.0-level groundstrokes but 3.0-level volleys. Your rubric captures this nuance, giving players concrete areas to work on rather than just "improve to 4.0."

Digital evaluation tools help track how individual skills progress over time, showing whether a player's serve is improving faster than their return game or vice versa.

Junior Tennis Player Evaluation

Junior tennis evaluation requires age-appropriate expectations. The ITF progression system (red, orange, green, yellow ball) exists because younger players need modified equipment to develop proper technique. Your evaluation criteria should match—what matters for an 8-year-old differs from what you assess in a teenager.

Ages 8-10 (Red Ball): Attitude Over Accuracy

At this stage, evaluate effort, enthusiasm, and basic technique. Can they track the ball and make contact consistently? Do they try to move their feet to the ball? Most importantly, do they enjoy playing? The best predictor of future development at this age is love of the game, not technical perfection.

Watch for developing coordination. Red ball players who can hit forehand and backhand with reasonable form show readiness for progression. Don't worry about spin or tactical play yet—focus on whether they can rally and follow basic court etiquette.

Ages 11-12 (Orange Ball): Building Fundamentals

Orange ball players should demonstrate consistent technique on groundstrokes and developing serve mechanics. Evaluate whether they can direct shots (cross-court vs. down-the-line) and whether they understand basic court positioning. Movement becomes more important—can they recover to the center after shots?

This is when competitive instincts emerge. Watch how they handle winning and losing points. Players who stay focused after mistakes will develop faster than those who get frustrated and lose concentration.

Ages 13-14 (Green Ball): Tactical Development

Green ball transitions to yellow ball court dimensions. Evaluate stroke consistency with spin, serve placement (not just getting it in), and the ability to construct points. Tactical awareness becomes assessable—do they play patterns or just hit randomly?

Physical development varies widely at this age. Focus on technique and game understanding rather than power. Players with solid fundamentals will add pace as they mature physically.

Recommended Evaluation Weighting by Age

Age Group	Technical Skills	Movement/Fitness	Attitude/Effort
8-10 (Red Ball)	20%	30%	50%
11-12 (Orange Ball)	30%	35%	35%
13-14 (Green Ball)	35%	35%	30%
15+ (Yellow Ball)	45%	30%	25%

Green highlights show the highest priority category for each age group. Attitude dominates at younger ages; technical skills become primary as players mature and specialize.

Skill Category	1	2	3	4	5
Forehand Technique	○	○	○	○	○
Backhand Technique	○	○	○	○	○
Serve Fundamentals	○	○	○	○	○
Movement & Balance	○	○	○	○	○
Rally Consistency	○	○	○	○	○
Effort & Attitude	○	○	○	○	○
Notes
Total Score	_______ / 30

Strengths:

Areas to Develop:

Goals for Next Term:

What Is the 80/20 Rule in Tennis?

The 80/20 rule (Pareto Principle)(opens in new tab) states that 80% of results come from 20% of efforts. In tennis, this means focusing practice and evaluation on the skills that matter most for match performance.

High-Impact Skills to Prioritize

For most recreational and club players, serve and forehand drive the majority of winning and losing. A player who can hold serve and attack with their forehand will win more matches than one who has beautiful technique on shots they rarely hit. Your evaluation should weight these high-frequency shots accordingly.

Return of serve is equally important—it happens every other game. A player with a reliable return neutralizes the opponent's serve advantage. Evaluate return depth and consistency, not just whether they get it back.

Application to Evaluation

When time is limited, focus your assessment on serves, groundstrokes, and movement. These three areas predict match performance better than volleys or specialty shots for most players. If a player struggles with serve and forehand, improving those will yield faster results than working on drop shots.

This doesn't mean ignoring weaknesses—it means prioritizing. A player with a solid serve and forehand but weak backhand knows exactly what to work on. Your evaluation quantifies where the 20% of focus should go.

Beyond Technical Skills

The 80/20 rule applies to mental game too. Players who stay composed during critical points (deuce, tiebreaks, third set) win more often than those who crumble under pressure. Evaluate how players perform when stakes increase, not just during warmup rallies.

What Are the 5 R's in Tennis?

The 5 R's framework, developed by Dave Bailey of Bailey Tennis Footwork(opens in new tab), breaks down movement into five phases: Ready, Read, React, Respond, and Recover. This system helps coaches evaluate and improve the footwork that underlies every shot.

The 5 R's Explained

R	Description	What to Watch
Ready	Athletic stance between shots	Does the player return to ready position after each shot?
Read	Observe opponent's preparation	Can they anticipate shot direction from opponent's body position?
React	First explosive step	Is the first step quick and in the right direction?
Respond	Execute the appropriate shot	Do they select and execute the right shot for the situation?
Recover	Return to optimal court position	Do they recover to the correct position based on their shot?

Evaluating Movement

Watch the complete cycle on every ball. Many players hit well when the ball comes directly to them but struggle when they must move. The 5 R's reveal where movement breaks down. A player might read the ball well but react slowly, or react quickly but recover poorly.

The Bailey Method suggests identifying each player's weakest R. Some players never fully recover to the ready position—they're always a step behind. Others read well but their first step goes the wrong direction. Your evaluation can note which R needs the most work.

Recovery: The Often-Missed R

Recovery deserves special attention because it's frequently overlooked. After hitting, does the player return to an optimal court position? Or do they admire their shot while their opponent hits a winner? Recovery position depends on where you hit—a cross-court shot requires different recovery than a down-the-line winner.

Track movement patterns over time with Striveon's athlete development tools to see whether footwork improves alongside technical skills.

Tennis Tryout Drills and Schedule

Organized tryouts reveal more than chaotic hitting sessions. When players stand around waiting for courts or unclear about what's expected, you miss evaluation opportunities and create a negative first impression. Structure your sessions so players stay active and evaluators see every skill from every player.

Pre-Tryout Preparation

Meet with your coaching staff to calibrate rating standards. What does a "4" in groundstrokes look like? What separates a "3" from a "5" in movement? When evaluators see the same examples, they apply the same standards. Discuss the evaluation form before players arrive so everyone scores consistently.

Prepare courts and equipment in advance. Set up targets, organize ball hoppers, and plan player rotation. Smooth logistics let your staff focus on evaluation rather than organization. Platforms like Striveon let you digitize evaluations and compare players across multiple tryout sessions.

Sample Tryout Drills

These drills reveal tennis skills efficiently. Each targets specific abilities you need to evaluate.

Drill	Duration	Purpose	What to Watch
Baseline Rally	8 min	Groundstroke consistency	Cross-court forehands then backhands. Watch for depth, spin, and recovery position.
Serve & Return	10 min	Serve power/placement, return quality	Alternate serving and returning. Note first serve percentage and return depth.
Approach & Volley	8 min	Net game and transition	Feed short ball, approach, volley finish. Watch footwork and volley technique.
Movement Drill	6 min	Court coverage and fitness	Figure-8 pattern touching corners. Evaluate speed, balance, and recovery.
Points Play	15 min	Tactical execution	Play points from serve. Observe shot selection, patterns, and competitive intensity.

Points Play: The Real Test

Drills show technique; points show character. End your tryout with live point play to see how players perform under competitive pressure. Watch who competes on every point versus who coasts. Note how players handle adversity—a missed shot followed by a focused next point indicates mental toughness.

Some players shine in drills but disappear in points; others raise their level when it counts. Your tryout should capture both controlled skill demonstration and competitive execution.

Sample Tryout Schedule

Example schedule for evaluating 16-24 players in 90-100 minutes with 2-3 evaluators.

Station	Duration	Players	Skills Evaluated
Check-in & Warm-up	15 min	All	Dynamic stretching, mini-tennis
Groundstroke Station	20 min	Groups of 4	FH/BH consistency, depth
Serve/Return Station	20 min	Groups of 4	Serve %, return quality
Net Play Station	15 min	Groups of 4	Volleys, overheads, approach
Live Points	20 min	Pairs	Tactical play, competitiveness
Cool-down & Debrief	10 min	All	Feedback, next steps

Post-Tryout Review

Gather your staff after players leave. Compare scores across evaluators—agreements point to clear roster decisions while disagreements highlight players worth discussing further. Digital tools compile scores instantly, letting you sort by skill category and identify standouts in minutes instead of hours.

Provide specific feedback to players who request it. "Your groundstrokes are solid but focus on first serve percentage" helps more than vague encouragement. Clear criteria give players concrete development paths whether or not they make the roster.