Metrics to track progress

Dear Alois and Jeff,

First of all: happy New Year!

What metrics would you use to track your progress. We have 5 young competitive players and I would like to motivate them by periodically doing some small tests. For example, there could be a consistency score (number of successful hits in 1 minute, or in a row), a score for serve accuracy (region of the table), smashing,... 

I am a bit lost as to what would be the most meaningful things to track without it becoming too extensive. So say 5-10 scores is probably maximum.

Kind Regards, Dieter 

Hi Dieter,

Those two are a good start.

Other things that you can use are:

Number of hits is 5 or 10 seconds - This increases shots to game pace
Number of 3rd ball attacks on the table out of 10
Third ball accuracy - Put some targets on the table and try to hit the target.  You can use different size targets.
Number of shots on the table when the ball is placed anywhere.  This could be done with you as the controller.  The speed can be increased as the players improve.

Having done all of these, of course, match results are the best guide as to a players progress.

Does anyone else have some good ideas that they use?