October-November 2001 -- Would you like to try a quick and fun method to measure the playing ability of your students that is based on objective results? Challenge matches usually determine the best players, but ball control tests can also be used as another fair (and objective) method to measure ability. The 200-point ball control contest does not take much time to conduct and provides a challenge for the players and scoring results for all players to compete against.
The purpose of the 200-point ball control contest (five skills tests) is to make players aware of their strengths and weaknesses by providing objective feedback that is often missing in practice.
These scoring tests can be used as a fun competition in practice. Any of the tests can be incorporated into a one-hour group lesson, or the entire test can be administered to six students in a two-hour session. To complete the tests in two hours, the coach works with three of the players on the groundstroke tests while, at the same time, the other three players conduct the serve test on a second court (when finished the players rotate courts). These tests require a hitting wall, a stopwatch and three thin 48-foot ropes. Scoring areas are marked in 6-foot sections (by the ropes). To gain consistent results, it is important that the scoring areas are always
exactly the proper length.
There are 200 total points to be earned: 100 points in two groundstroke tests and 100 more in tests on the overhead, volley and serve. The 200-point contest has a total scoring system (seen below, with a separate scoring system for each test). It has been proven that the higher the score, the better the player (and normally the better the player’s technique, the higher his score).
Point ranking categories: 200 points possible
- Champion: 150 points or more
- Tournament player: 135-149 points
- Advanced player: 120-134 points
- Average player: 100-119 points
- Beginner: 99 points and under
The 20-ball game
The 20-ball game is a
fun test that measures groundstroke depth.
Purpose
To increase the student’s awareness of depth. Once aware of their depth problem, players might pay more attention to this important aspect of the game. The scoring system gives players a chance to monitor depth scores and compete with their friends for the highest score.
How to play
The teacher feeds 20 balls from the service line so that they land behind the opposite service line. Balls are fed without a pattern, using a variety of height, depth and direction (approximately 10 forehand shots – 10 backhand shots.)
How to score
The scorer will record the result of each shot with a scoring sheet.
There are seven scoring marks. Balls hit into the net are marked N. Balls hit into the service box are marked S for short. Wide balls are marked W and long balls are marked L. Points can only be scored when a ball lands into the three, 6-foot sections of the backcourt (divided into three sections by two ropes). Balls landing in the shallow section receive 1 point, those that land in the middle section score 2 points, and balls landing in the deepest area score 3 points.
Point ranking categories: 60 points possible
- Champion: 40 points or more
- Tournament player: 33-39 points
- Advanced player: 25-32 points
- Average player: 20-24 points
The 40-ball game
The 40-ball game is a
fun test that measures groundstroke passing shot proficiency.
Purpose
To develop footwork for the beginner, direction for the advanced player, and passing shots for the tournament player.
How to play
The 40-ball game is four tests of 10 balls: (1) forehand down the line, (2) forehand crosscourt, (3) backhand down the line, (4) backhand crosscourt.
The teacher feeds all balls from the service line. Balls are fed with a pattern, so they land in a similar area behind the service line. On the forehand tests, the balls are fed off-center to the forehand side and on the backhand tests the balls are fed off-center to the backhand side. After the student hits each ball, he glides (shuffle steps) back to the center service mark before moving quickly to hit the next shot (10 shots in a row). Four tests in a row.
How to score
Two ropes are placed parallel with, and exactly 6 feet within, the singles sidelines. Each ball landing in this area gains a point. The four tests of 10 shots will take only a few minutes, with a scorer recording points earned.
Point ranking categories: 40 points possible
- Champion: 36 points or more
- Tournament player: 32-35 points
- Advanced player: 27-31 points
- Average player: 21-26 points
The serve test
Ten balls are served into the deuce court and 10 into the advantage court (20 serves). All serves that land in the deepest 6-foot area of the service court (divided by a rope) score 2 points and all other balls that land in the short area of the service box earn 1 point. No points are earned for a fault. A total of 40 points can be earned. The players can record serve scores.
- Champion: 32 points or more
- Tournament player: 28-31 points
- Advanced player: 24-27 points
- Average player: 20-23 points
- Beginner: under 20 points
The volley test
The player is positioned 6 feet from the wall and hits as many
alternating forehand-backhand volleys as possible in 20 seconds. One point is earned for each volley hit against the wall. Balls must clear net height and the ball must be volleyed from behind the 6-foot line. The coach will control the stopwatch while a scorer records the number of alternating hits. (40 points.)
- Champion: 40 points (40 or more wall hits)
- Tournament player: 35-39 points
- Advanced player: 30-34 points
- Average player: 20-29 points
- Beginner: under 20 points
The overhead test
The teacher feeds 10 balls, with two points earned for each ball that lands 6 feet behind the service line (the deepest 12 feet of the court). One point is given for balls landing in the short area of the court and no points are earned for balls that are hit out of court. As in the other tests, a rope divides the two scoring areas. Twenty points can be earned.
- Champion: 16 points or more
- Tournament player: 14-15 points
- Advanced player: 12-13 points
- Average player: 10-11 points
- Beginner: under 10 points
