Evaluating tennis team members and creating a lineup is a tricky task for any coach, who can create hard feelings among players who don't like the outcome. Regardless of players' personal perceptions of their skill levels, you must create lineups that treat all players fairly and give your team the best chance to win each match. Using objective criteria to evaluate skill levels and make lineups will help you keep harmony among your players and increase your chances of a winning season.
Step 1
Contact your league or visit its website to obtain a copy of the rules for making lineups. Read the rules to avoid making an illegal lineup or using an ineligible player.
Step 2
Write the criteria for making your team lineups. This could include the use of head-to-head match results, league match results or other criteria.
Step 3
Announce your criteria for making lineups to your team so they understand how lineups are made. Minimize bad feelings by asking team members, in advance, if they understand your criteria and whether they have any questions.
Step 4
Evaluate players under match conditions by simulating point and target pressure. Run drills that require players to hit to defined areas of the court, scoring points during a limited amount of tries. Have players hit 10 cross-court forehands past the service line, earning a point for each ball that goes in. Repeat this for short cross-court shots, down-the-line shots, lobs and drop shots.
Step 5
Divide each service box into three equal parts using two lines running perpendicular to the net. Tell players these three areas represent serves to the forehand, backhand and into the body. Have players serve first and second serves, identifying which of the three areas they will hit before they serve. Have them bounce the ball the same number of times they do during a match.
Step 6
Have players play challenge matches. Have them play tiebreaks early in the season, using either 10-point match tiebreaks or best-of-three regular tiebreaks. Have them play both regular and no-ad scoring.
Step 7
Have players play challenge matches two or more weeks after the season has begun consisting of one set, using both regular and no-ad scoring. Move from six-game sets to eight-game pro sets after one or two weeks. Use regular and no-ad scoring.
Step 8
Have players play full matches two or more weeks before the regular season starts. Start with no-ad scoring for one week, then finish with matches played under the same format as your league format.
Things You'll Need
- League rules
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