NTRP General Characteristics
of Various Playing Levels
1.0 This
player is just starting to play tennis.
1.5 This
player has limited experience and is still working primarily
on getting
the ball
into play.
2.0 This
player needs on-court experience. This player has obvious stroke
weaknesses
but is familiar with basic positions for singles and doubles
play.
2.5 This
player is learning to judge where the ball is going although
court
coverage
is weak. This player can sustain a short rally of slow pace with
other players
of the same ability
3.0 This
player is fairly consistent when hitting medium-paced shots,
but is
not comfortable
with all strokes and lacks execution when trying for
directional
control, depth, or power. Most common doubles formation
is one-up,
one-back.
3.5 This
player has achieved improved stroke dependability with directional
control
on moderate shots but still lacks depth and variety. This player
exhibits
more aggressive net play, has improved court coverage, and is
developing
teamwork in doubles.
4.0 This
player has dependable strokes, including directional control
and
depth on
both forehand and backhand sides on moderate shots, plus the
ability
to use lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys with some
success.
This player occasionally forces errors when serving. Rallies
may
be lost
due to impatience. Teamwork in doubles is evident.
4.5 This
player has begun to master the use of power and spins and is
beginning
to handle pace, has sound footwork, can control depth of
shots,
and is beginning to vary game plan according to opponents. This
player
can hit first serves with power and accuracy and place the second
serve.
This player tends to over-hit on difficult shots. Aggressive
net play
is common
in doubles.
5.0 This
player has good shot anticipation and frequently has an outstanding
shot or
attribute around which a game may be structured. This player
can
regularly
hit winners or force errors off of short balls and can put away
volleys,
can successfully execute lobs, drop shots, half volleys and
overhead
smashes, and has good depth and spin on most second serves.
5.5 This
player has developed power and/or consistency as a major weapon.
This player
can vary strategies and styles of play in a competitive situation
and hits
dependable shots in stress situations.
6.0-7.0 These players generally
will not need NTRP ratings. Ranking or past
rankings
will speak for themselves. The 6.0 player typically has had
intensive
training for national tournament competition at the junior and
collegiate
levels and 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. |
