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AllONDECK HUB · allondeck.org

The African Tennis
Player Development
Checklist

A complete self-assessment framework for players, coaches, and parents. Track progress. Identify gaps. Build champions.

🎾 Players 👨 Coaches 👨‍👩‍👧 Parents 🌍 Africa-First 🆓 Free Resource

About This Resource

This checklist was designed by Coach Kazeem Rasaki (ITF/PTR Certified) for AllONDECK HUB, Africa's digital tennis development platform. Use it to honestly assess where a player stands across every dimension of the game: technique, movement, mental strength, fitness, and match-day readiness.

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For Players

Self-assess honestly after each training block. Tick only what you can do consistently under pressure, not just on a good day.

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For Coaches

Use as a structured evaluation tool every 4-8 weeks. Share results with players and parents to guide training priorities.

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For Parents

Understand where your child is on their development journey. Focus on the process, not just results or rankings.

How to Score

Scoring Guide & Colour Key

Technical Skill

Movement & Fitness

Mental & Tactical

Tournament & Match Day

✅ Tick a box when…

You can execute the skill consistently, at least 7 out of 10 times, under real match conditions, not just in drill repetitions.

📅 Review every 4 · 8 weeks

Progress in tennis is gradual. Review this checklist at the start of each training block and compare with your previous score.

📊 How to calculate your score

Count your ticked boxes in each section. Divide by the total boxes in that section. Multiply by 100 for a percentage score.

Example: 14 of 20 ticked = 70%

🎯 Target scores by stage

Beginner: 0-40%
Intermediate: 41-70%
Advanced: 71-85%
Elite: 86-100%

"Honest self-assessment is the beginning of real improvement. The players who grow fastest are the ones who can look at a checklist like this and tick only what they have truly earned."

Coach Kazeem Rasaki, Founder · AllONDECK HUB

🎾 Forehand Groundstroke

Eastern or semi-western grip applied correctly

Unit turn, shoulders and hips rotate on backswing

Low-to-high swing path generating topspin

Contact point in front of the body (not beside the hip)

Weight transfers from back to front foot on hit

Follow-through finishes high over opposite shoulder

Can direct forehand cross-court and down-the-line

Consistent depth, landing past the service line

🔄 Two-Handed Backhand

Continental + Eastern grip combination correct

Early pivot, outside foot steps across on backswing

Non-dominant arm drives the swing, not just guides

Contact point in front of the lead hip

Follow-through extends to high finish position

Can redirect backhand cross-court and down-the-line

One-handed slice backhand for low, wide balls

🔸 Slice Backhand

Continental grip held for slice shots

High-to-low swing path with open racket face

Can use slice as a defensive shot under pressure

Slice stays low over the net (not floating)

🏓 Serve

Continental grip used for all serves

Consistent ball toss to the 1 o'clock position

Trophy position reached before swinging down

Full leg drive and hip rotation (not arm-only)

Pronation through contact for power and spin

First serve in percentage above 55% in matches

Second serve with topspin, not a "push" serve

Can serve to Wide, Body, and T positions intentionally

↩️ Return of Serve

Ready position maintained until server tosses ball

Split step timed to server's contact point

Compact backswing on fast serves (no full takeback)

Can redirect return cross-court with consistency

Chip-and-charge return on short second serves

🏸 Volley & Net Play

Continental grip maintained at net

Step through with opposite foot on every volley

Compact punch, no backswing on the volley

Overhead with drop-step and racket up early

Beginner Score 0-40% · Focus on forehand and basic serve consistency Intermediate 41-70% · Add slice backhand and directional control

Why Footwork Is Everything

Poor footwork is the root cause of most technical errors. A player who arrives late, off-balance, or with the wrong stance cannot produce a quality shot, regardless of their arm swing. Evaluate these skills under rally conditions, not just in isolation drills.

🧍 Athletic Stance & Ready Position

Knees bent 25-35° in ready position at all times

Weight on balls of feet, heels barely touching

Racket held up at waist height with both hands

Eyes soft-focused forward, not fixed on one spot

Returns to ready position after every shot

⚡ Split Step

Split step performed on every opponent contact

Timing is precise, lands exactly as opponent hits

Split step is small (spread) not high (jump)

Lands in balanced, explosive position every time

↔️ Lateral Movement

Shuffle step for short distances (within 2m)

Crossover sprint for wide balls (beyond 2m)

Stays low throughout lateral movement

Feet never cross during shuffle steps

Racket stays up and in front while moving

🚀 Directional First Step

Pushes off outside (far) foot on first step

First step is explosive, not hesitant

Direction decision made from split step landing

First step covers enough ground to reach the ball

⬆️⬇️ Forward & Backward Movement

Approaches short balls with controlled deceleration

Follows approach shot with split step at service line

Drop-step used when ball is lobbed overhead

Never backpedals straight back, always turns sideways

Racket raised and pointing at ball during lob retreat

🦶 Stance Selection

Open stance used correctly on wide defensive balls

Semi-open stance on standard rally balls

Neutral/closed stance on short attack balls

Stance selection is automatic, not deliberate

🔄 Recovery

Begins recovery before ball crosses the net

Recovers to centre mark after every baseline shot

Recovery step is as fast as the forward movement

Maintains split step during recovery sequence

"Footwork in tennis is not optional. It is the skill underneath every other skill."

Coach Kazeem Rasaki

Mental Toughness Benchmark

Mental toughness is not about never feeling pressure. It is about performing your process under pressure. Evaluate these on your worst day of the season, not your best.

Tactical IQ Note

Tactics without technique are wishes. Technique without tactics are drills. At match level, both must work together. Be honest: can you execute your tactical plan when it matters?

🧠 Mental Toughness

Stays focused after losing 3+ consecutive points

Resets emotionally between points (20-second rule)

Does not show frustration that affects opponent's confidence

Can raise game under pressure (break points, 3rd set)

Accepts bad calls and weather with composure

Believes in winning even when a set down

Breathes deliberately between points to reset

🔁 Between-Point Routine

Has a consistent routine between every point

Routine takes no more than 20 seconds

Bounces strings or has physical reset gesture

Walks to position with purpose, not dragging feet

Uses positive self-talk during changeovers

📊 Self-Awareness

Knows their own strengths and leans on them

Identifies their weakness without denial

Can adapt game plan mid-match if first plan fails

Reviews matches honestly, wins and losses

♟ Rally Tactics & Patterns

Has a default rally pattern (e.g. cross-court to backhand)

Can open up the court with a wide ball then attack

Uses short angles to pull opponent off court

Changes direction purposefully, not randomly

Attacks opponent's weaker side consistently

Varies pace, uses heavy topspin and flat balls

Knows when to go for a winner vs. stay in rally

🎯 Serve Tactics

Serves to a specific zone, not just "in"

Has a +1 plan after the serve (knows first shot)

Varies first serve placement to keep returner guessing

Second serve lands deep, never gives free points

🌐 Game Awareness

Knows the score at all times without asking

Plays bigger on big points, not smaller

Understands when to attack vs. play safe

Never tanks games, fights for every point

⚡ Speed & Agility

Can sprint full court width in under 3.0 seconds

Cone agility drill (5-10-5) completed with no stumbling

Lateral shuffle speed maintained for 10+ seconds

First step reaction time is explosive, not sluggish

Change of direction without losing balance

Acceleration remains consistent in 3rd set

💪 Strength & Stability

Can hold a plank for 60+ seconds with correct form

Single-leg squat balance (10 reps each leg)

Rotational core strength (medicine ball throws)

Shoulder stability exercises done 3× per week

No chronic pain from poor movement patterns

Hip stability exercises in warm-up routine

🏃 Endurance & Stamina

Can sustain quality movement for 90+ minute matches

No significant decline in footwork in 3rd set

Consistent breathing pattern during points

Heart rate returns to below 120bpm in 60 seconds

🤸 Flexibility & Mobility

Dynamic warm-up completed before every session

Hip flexor and quad flexibility (no restriction on lunges)

Shoulder external rotation normal range

Ankle mobility allows deep knee bend without heel lift

Cool-down stretches done after every session

🥗 Nutrition & Hydration

Drinks 500ml water 30 minutes before matches

Eats a proper meal 2-3 hours before competition

Has a changeover snack plan (banana, energy bar)

Does not play on an empty stomach

Avoids sugary drinks before and during matches

😴 Recovery & Rest

Sleeps 8-10 hours the night before a match

No hard training within 24 hours of competition

Ice bath or cold water treatment available after hard sessions

Takes at least 1 full rest day per week

Injury Prevention Priority

The most common tennis injuries, shoulder, knee, wrist, and ankle, are largely preventable with consistent warm-up, cool-down, and load management. Check the boxes above before adding more court time.

📅 Week Before the Tournament

Tournament registration confirmed and accepted

Draw reviewed, first round opponent researched

Court surface noted (clay, hard, grass), game adjusted

Rackets restrung or checked (at least 2 rackets packed)

Travel, accommodation, and meals planned

Training load reduced to 70% in final 3 days

Mental visualisation practice, 10 mins daily

🌅 Match Day Morning

Woke up 3+ hours before the match

Full breakfast eaten (carbs + protein)

Match bag packed: rackets, water, snacks, towel, spare grip

Arrived at venue 45-60 minutes before match time

Warm-up, 20 mins: jog, dynamic stretching, ball hitting

Game plan reviewed (serve targets, rally patterns)

🎮 During the Match

Split step on every single opponent contact

Between-point routine maintained every point

Drinks water at every changeover (even if not thirsty)

Eats snack at changeover if match is 75+ minutes

Respects line calls, does not argue the opponent

Adjusts tactics if first plan is not working

🏁 After the Match

Shakes hands and is gracious, win or lose

Cool-down, 10 mins light jog and stretching

Drinks at least 500ml water within 30 minutes

Eats recovery meal within 60 minutes

Notes 3 things that went well

Notes 1-2 areas to work on in training

Discusses match with coach honestly

📈 Tournament Season Progress

Tracks win/loss record and notes trends

Reviews at least one match on video per tournament

Plays at least 8 tournaments per year

Registered with national tennis federation

ITF junior profile created (for juniors)

Keeps a match journal, one entry per tournament

"A tournament is not just a competition. It is a data point. Win or lose, you leave with information about yourself that practice courts cannot give you."

Coach Kazeem Rasaki · AllONDECK HUB

🏆 Tournament Readiness Score

Count your ticked boxes in this section. If you score below 60%, invest more in your match-day process before entering your next tournament. Preparation is the first tactic.

Section Six · For Coaches & Parents

👨 Coach Checklist

Reviews this checklist with each player every 6 weeks

Films sessions for player self-review

Gives written feedback alongside verbal coaching

Builds individual development plans per player

Communicates clearly with parents about progress

Prioritises long-term development over short-term wins

Holds a current coaching certification (ITF/PTR)

Creates a safe, encouraging training environment

👨‍👩‍👧 Parent Checklist

Supports the player, never coaches from the sideline

Focuses on effort and process, not just results

Ensures proper nutrition and sleep before matches

Celebrates growth, not just victories

Manages travel and logistics calmly

Gives the player space after a loss

Invests in professional coaching, not just courts

Is the player's biggest supporter, on and off court

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AllONDECK HUB · allondeck.org

Africa's Platform for
Tennis Champions

Courses, coaching, talent showcase, community, and grassroots programmes, all in one place. Designed for African players. Built by an African coach.

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The African Tennis Player Development Checklist