Player Assessment Framework

Assessment Focus: Foundation, Participation, and Enjoyment. Assessments are primarily qualitative and observational.

Performance Factor    Key Assessment Metrics
Technical    • Grip & Stance: Consistent use of basic forehand grip and ready stance.
• Stroke Production: Ability to perform an underarm serve and basic overhead clear with correct technique.
• Contact Point: Making consistent contact with the shuttle in front of the body.
Tactical    • Rules & Objective: Understands basic scoring, court boundaries, and the goal of the game.
• Positioning: Attempts to return to the "home base" position after a shot.
Physical    • Movement: Use of basic side-shuffle (chassé) steps and safe lunging.
• Coordination: Demonstrates basic racket-eye-shuttle coordination.
Mental/Social    • Effort & Engagement: Consistently tries their best and participates actively in all activities.
• Coachability: Listens to instructions and applies feedback.
• Respect: Shows respect for coaches, peers, and equipment.

Assessment Focus: Consistency, Competitiveness, and Court Craft. Assessments become more structured and data-informed.

Performance FactorKey Assessment Metrics

Technical• Shot Consistency: Sustains a 10+ shot rally in drills. First-serve success rate >85%.
• Shot Quality: Depth of clears, tightness of net shots, and power of smashes.
• Footwork: Efficiency and speed in moving to all four corners of the court and recovering.

Tactical• Pattern Recognition: Ability to identify and use basic patterns (e.g., clear-drop, attack-defense).
• Decision Making: Makes appropriate shot choices (e.g., when to play a drop vs. a clear).
• Game Analysis: Can verbally identify a key strength and weakness after a match.

Physical• Sport-Specific Fitness: Score on the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (or similar).
• Speed & Agility: Time on on-court footwork circuits (e.g., "suicide runs").
• Power: Evidence of explosive movement and a powerful smash.

Mental• Resilience: Ability to recover from mistakes and maintain focus.
• Pre-Match Routine: Development and use of a consistent preparation routine.
• Competitive Mindset: Demonstrates a desire to win and improve in competition.

Assessment Focus: Optimization, Deception, and Match Dominance. Assessments are highly detailed and used for individualized programming.

Performance FactorKey Assessment Metrics

Technical• Deception: Effectively uses late shot selection and identical swing preparation for different shots.
• Shot Variety & Weaponry: Mastery of a full range of shots (slices, drives, cross-court drops) and a reliable "kill shot."
• Consistency Under Pressure: Maintains technical form and shot quality in high-intensity rally exchanges.

Tactical• Game Plan Execution: Successfully implements a pre-determined, opponent-specific strategy.
• Adaptability: Ability to change tactics mid-match in response to an opponent's strategy.
• Match Control: Manages tempo, disrupts opponent's rhythm, and controls the "T."

Physical• Elite Fitness: Maintains a Yo-Yo Test score of Level 18+.
• Power: Measured through vertical jump and smash speed (using radar gun if available).
• Recovery: Ability to maintain high performance levels throughout multi-day tournaments.

Mental• Handling Pressure: Performs consistently at major tournaments. Wins a high percentage of "close" games (e.g., 19-19, 20-20).
• Leadership & Autonomy: Takes ownership of their development and demonstrates leadership within the squad.
• Detailed Self-Analysis: Can critically break down their own performance with minimal coach guidance.