NATIONAL TENNIS RATING PROGRAM - USTA

1 1. 01. 8 7 65 4 321 This player is just starting to play player has limited experience and is still working primarily on getting the ball into swing; lacks directional intentForm developing; prepared for moderatelypaced shotsFairly consistent withsome directional intent;lacks depth controlImproved consistencyand variety on moderateshots with directionalcontrol; developingspinGood consistency; hitswith depth and controlon moderate shots; maytry to hit too good aplacement on a difficultshotVery good consistency;uses speed and spineffectively; controlsdepth well; tends toover-hit on difficult shots; offensiveon moderate shotsStrong shots with control, depth, and spin;uses forehand to set up offensive situations; hasdeveloped good touch;consistent on passingshotsAvoids backhands;erratic contact; gripproblems; incompleteswingGrip and preparationproblems; often choosesto hit forehand insteadof backhandFrequently prepared;starting to hit with fair consistency onmoderate shotsHits with directionalcontrol on moderateshots; has difficulty onhigh or hard shots;returns difficult shotsdefensivelyDirects the ball withconsistency and depthon moderateshots.

2 Developing spinCan control directionand depth but maybreak down under pressure; offensive onmoderate shotsCan use backhand asan aggressive shotwith good consistency;has good direction anddepth on most shots;varies spinThis player is capable of hitting dependable shots in stress situations; has developed good anticipation; can pick up cues from such things as oppo-nent s toss, body position, backswing, preparation; first and second servescan be depended on in stress situations and can be hit offensively at anytime; can analyze and exploit opponent's weaknesses; can vary strategiesand style of play in a competitive players will generally not need NTRP ratings.

3 Rankings or past rankingswill speak for themselves. The player typically has had intensive trainingfor NATIONAL tournament competition at the junior level and collegiate levelsand has obtained a sectional and/or NATIONAL ranking. The player has areasonable chance of succeeding at the level and has extensive satellitetournament experience. The is a world-class player who is committed totournament competition on the international level and whose major sourceof income is tournament prize in Wheelchairs: Players in wheelchairs should use these general characteristics to determinetheir NTRP skill level. The only differences are as follows:Mobility:While players in wheelchairs may have skills that would normallyprovide them a certain RATING , the mobility factor suggests that whencompeting against able-bodied players, they should participate at an NTRP skill level that provides for competitive rather than compatible ability:Due to the nature of the player s injury or disability, a powerful serve may not be possible.

4 In this case, it may be more realistic toself-rate below , as service strength becomes key beyond this level. Many tournament players in wheelchairs have already received an NTRP RATING . Wheelchair players should check with players whose skills matchtheir own before determining their RATING . The very best world-class players inwheelchairshave an NTRP RATING in the low servicemotion; double faultscommon; toss is inconsistent; return of serve erraticAttempting a full swing;can get the ball in playat slow pace; inconsistenttoss; can return slow-paced serveDeveloping rhythm; little consistency whentrying for power; second serve is oftenconsiderably slowerthan first serve; canreturn serve with fairconsistencyStarting to serve withcontrol and some power;developing spin.

5 Canreturn serve consistentlywith directional controlon moderate shotsPlaces both first andsecond serves, oftenwith power on firstserve; uses spin;dependable return ofserve; can return withdepth in singles andmix returns in doublesAggressive serving withlimited double faults;uses power and spin;developing offense; onsecond serve frequentlyhits with good depth andplacement; frequentlyhits aggressive servicereturns; can take paceoff with moderate success in doublesServe is placed effectivelywith intent of hitting toa weakness or developingan offensive situation;has a variety of servesto rely on; good depth,spin, and placement onmost second serves toforce weak return or setup next shot; can mixaggressive and off-pacedservice returns withcontrol, depth, and spinReluctant to play net;avoids backhand; lacksfootworkUncomfortable at net,especially on the backhand side; frequentlyuses forehand racquetface on backhand volleysConsistent forehand volley; inconsistentbackhand volley; hastrouble with low and wide shotsMore aggressive netplay; some ability tocover side shots; usesproper footwork; candirect forehand volleys;controls backhand volleybut with little offense.

6 Difficulty in putting volleys awayDepth and control onforehand volley; candirect backhand volleys but usually lacksdepth; developing wideand low volleys on bothsides of the bodyCan handle a mixedsequence of volleys;good footwork; hasdepth and directionalcontrol on backhand;developing touch; mostcommon error is stilloverhittingCan hit most volleyswith depth, pace anddirection; plays difficultvolleys with depth;given an opportunityvolley is often hit for awinnerNATIONAL TENNIS RATING PROGRAMFOREHANDBACKHANDSERVE ORVOLLEYSPECIAL SHOTS PLAYING STYLERETURN OF SERVEF amiliar with basic positions for singles and doubles play; frequentlyout of positionCan sustain a short rallyof slow pace; modestconsistency; weak court coverage; usuallyremains in the initialdoubles positionFairly consistent on medium-paced shots;most common doubles formation is still one up,one back; approachesnet when play dictates but weak in executionImproved consistencyon moderate shots withdirectional control;improved court cover-age.

7 Starting to look forthe opportunity to cometo the net; developingteamwork in doublesGood consistency onground strokes withdirectional control anddepth demonstrated onmoderate shots; not yetplaying good percentagetennis; teamwork indoubles is evident; ralliesmay still be lost due toimpatienceVery good consistency;more intentional varietyin game; is hitting withmore pace; covers upweaknesses well; begin-ning to vary game planaccording to opponent;aggressive net play iscommon in doubles;good anticipation;beginning to handle paceFrequently has an out-standing shot, consistency,or attribute around whichgame is built; can varygame plan according toopponent; this player is match wise, plays percentage TENNIS and beats himself or herself less than the player;solid teamwork in doubles is evident; gamebreaks down mentallyand physically moreoften than the playerCan lob intentionally but with little control;can make contact onoverheadsCan lob fairly consistently on moderate shotsConsistent overhead on shots within reach;developing approachshots, drop shots, andhalf volleysCan put away easyoverheads.

8 Can poachin doubles; followsaggressive shots to thenet; beginning to finishpoint off; can hit toopponent's weaknesses;able to lob defensivelyon difficult shots andoffensively on set-upsHits approach shotswith good depth andcontrol; can consistentlyhit volleys and over-heads to end the pointApproach shots andpassing shots are hitwith pace and highdegree of effectiveness;can lob offensively;overhead can be hitfrom any position; hitsmid-court volleys withconsistency USTA, IHRSA, USPTA, 1979 Revised, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2005 ITNNTRPNTRP Poster 3 3/27/06 4:34 PM Page 1