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NATIONAL
TENNIS RATING PROGRAM GUIDELINES
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1.0
This player has no experience
and is now starting to learn how to play tennis.
1.5
This player has little experience and is
still working on getting the ball into play.
2.0
FH: The swing
is incomplete and lacks directional intent.
BH: The swing Is incomplete, has grip problems
so therefore avoids backhands
SERVE & R.O.S: Incomplete service progression,
the toss is inconsistent as well as the return of serve.
VOLLEY: Avoids playing at the net and lacks footwork.
PLAYING SKILLS: Has some knowledge of the basic
positions for singles and doubles play but frequently
out of position.
2.5
FH: Proper
form is developing and prepared for moderately paced shots.
BH: Has some grip and preparation problems, often
chooses to hit FH instead of BH.
SERVE & R.O.S: Attempting a full swing; can
get the ball in play at slow pace; inconsistent toss;
can return slow paced serves.
VOLLEY: Is uncomfortable playing at net especially
on the BH side; frequently uses FH racket face on BH volleys.
SPECIAL SHOTS: Can lob intentionally but with very
little control. Is able to make contact on overheads.
PLAYING SKILLS: Can sustain a short rally at slow
pace. Has weak court coverage but usually remains in the
initial doubles position.
3.0
FH: Is fairly
consistent with some directional intent but lacks in depth
and control.
BH: Is starting to hit with fair consistency on
moderate shots.
SERVE & R.O.S: Starting to develop some rhythm
but has little consistency when trying for power. The
second serve is often slower than the first serve. Is
capable of returning serve with fair consistency.
VOLLEY: Is consistent with the FH volley but inconsistent
on the BH. Has trouble with low and wide shots.
SPECIAL SHOTS: Can lob consistently on moderate
shots.
PLAYING SKILLS: Consistent on medium-paced shots.
Most common doubles formation is still one-up and one-back.
Approaches the net when play dictates but is weak in executing
the shots.
3.5
FH: Good consistency
and variety on moderate shots. Good directional control
and is now developing some spin.
BH: Hitting with directional control on moderate
shots; has difficulty on high balls or hard shots. returns
difficult shots defensively.
SERVE & R.O.S: Starting to serve with control
and some power. Is starting to develop spin and can return
serve consistently with directional control on moderate
shots.
VOLLEY: More aggressive net play. Has some ability
to cover side shots. Uses proper footwork. Can direct
FH volleys and controls BH volley but with little offense.
Has difficulty in putting volleys away.
SPECIAL SHOTS: Consistent on overhead shots. Is
starting to develop approach shots, drop shots and half
volleys and can place the return of most second serves.
PLAYING SKILLS: Consistency on moderate shots with
directional control has improved on court coverage. Is
starting to look for the opportunity to come to the net
and develop teamwork in doubles.
4.0
FH: Hits with
depth and control on moderate shots. Attempts to hit too
good a placement on a difficult shot.
BH: Player can direct the ball with consistency
and depth on moderate shots, developing spin.
SERVE & R.O.S: Places both first and second
serves. Is developing power on the first serve and using
more spin for the second serve. Is developing consistency
with the return of serve and can return with depth.
VOLLEY: Has good depth and control on FH volley,
can direct BH volleys but usually lacks depth. Is developing
wide and low volleys on both sides of the body.
SPECIAL SHOTS: Can put away easy overheads. Can
use the poaching technique in doubles. Is capable of following
aggressive shots to the net. Is now beginning to finish
the point off. Can hit to opponent's weaknesses, is able
to lob defensively on setups.
PLAYING SKILLS: Has fairly good groundstrokes with
directional control and depth demonstrated on moderate
shots. Is not playing with good percentage tennis. Has
good teamwork in doubles but tends to lose rallies due
to impatience.
4.5
FH: Uses speed
and spin effectively and can control depth well. Has a
tendency to over hit on difficult shots and is offensive
on moderate shots.
BH: Can control direction and depth but may break
down under pressure. Can hit with power on moderate shots.
SERVE & R.O.S: Aggressive serving with limited
double faults. Uses power and spin on second serve. Frequently
hits with good depth and placement. Is frequently aggressive
on return of serve's and can take pace off with moderate
success in doubles.
VOLLEY: Can handle a mixed sequence of volleys.
Has good footwork, depth and directional control on BH.
Is developing some touch but the most common error is
still over hitting.
SPECIAL SHOTS: Hits with good depth and control.
Can consistently hit volleys and overheads to end the
points and frequently hits aggressive service returns
PLAYING SKILLS: More intentional variety in game.
Is hitting with more pace, covers up weaknesses well.
Is beginning to vary game plan according to opponent.
Is developing a more aggressive net play in doubles. Has
good anticipation and beginning to handle pace.
5.0
FH: Strong
shot with control, depth, and spin. Uses FH to set up
offensive situations and has developed good touch and
is consistent on passing shots.
BH: Can use BH as an aggressive shot with good
consistency. Has good direction and depth on most shots.
SERVE & R.O.S: Serve is placed effectively
with the intent of hitting to a weakness or developing
an offensive situation. Has a variety of serves to rely
on. Has good depth, spin, and placement on most second
serves to force weak return or set up the next shot. Can
mix aggressive and off-paced service returns with control,
depth, and spin.
VOLLEY: Can hit most volleys with depth, pace,
and direction. Plays difficult volleys with depth if given
opportunity and can finish the volley for a winner.
SPECIAL SHOTS: Approach shots and passing shots
are hit with pace and a high degree of effectiveness.
Can lob offensively. Overhead can be hit from any position.
Hits mid-court volley's with consistency and can return
serve's aggressively.
PLAYING SKILLS: Frequently has an outstanding shot
or attribute around which his game is built. Can vary
game plan according to opponent. At this level the player
is 'match wise,' and ca play with percentage tennis. Has
solid teamwork in doubles but game tends to break down
mentally and physically more often than the 5.5 player.
5.5
This player can hit dependable shots in
stress situations; has developed good anticipation; can
pick up cues from such things as opponent's toss, body
position, back swing, preparation; first and second serves
can be depended on in stress situations and can be hit
offensively at any time; can analyze and exploit opponent's
weaknesses; has developed power and /or consistency as
a major weapon; can vary strategies and style of play
in a competitive situation.
6.0
- 7.0
Generally these players do not need a NTRP
rating. Rankings or past rankings will speak for themselves.
The 6.0 player typically has experienced intensive training
for national tournament competition at the junior level
and collegiate levels. Has obtained a sectional and/or
national ranking. The 6.5 player has a reasonable chance
of succeeding at the 7.0 level and has extensive satellite
tournament experience.
The 7.0 is a world class player who is committed to tournament
competition on the international level and whose major
source of income is tournament prize winnings.
