NTRP Poster 3 3/27/06 4:34 PM Page 1

ITN NTRP
NATIO NAL TENNIS RATING PROGRAM
FOREHAND BACKHAND SERVE OR VOLLEY SPECIAL SHOTS PLAYING STYLE
RETURN OF SERVE

10.1
10.3 1.0 This player is just starting to play tennis.

10 1.5 This player has limited experience and is still working primarily on getting the ball into play.

9 2.0 Incomplete swing; Avoids backhands; Incomplete service Reluctant to play net; Familiar with basic
lacks directional intent erratic contact; grip motion; double faults avoids backhand; lacks positions for singles and
problems; incomplete common; toss is footwork doubles play; frequently
swing inconsistent; return out of position
of serve erratic

8 2.5 Form developing; Grip and preparation Attempting a full swing; Uncomfortable at net, Can lob intentionally Can sustain a short rally
prepared for moderately problems; often chooses can get the ball in play especially on the but with little control; of slow pace; modest
paced shots to hit forehand instead at slow pace; inconsistent backhand side; frequently can make contact on consistency; weak
of backhand toss; can return slow- uses forehand racquet overheads court coverage; usually
paced serve face on backhand volleys remains in the initial
doubles position

7 3.0 Fairly consistent with Frequently prepared; Developing rhythm; Consistent forehand Can lob fairly Fairly consistent on
some directional intent; starting to hit with little consistency when volley; inconsistent consistently on medium-paced shots;
lacks depth control fair consistency on trying for power; backhand volley; has moderate shots most common doubles
moderate shots second serve is often trouble with low formation is still one up,
considerably slower and wide shots one back; approaches
than first serve; can net when play dictates
return serve with fair but weak in execution
consistency

6 3.5 Improved consistency Hits with directional Starting to serve with More aggressive net Consistent overhead Improved consistency
and variety on moderate control on moderate control and some power; play; some ability to on shots within reach; on moderate shots with
shots with directional shots; has difficulty on developing spin; can cover side shots; uses developing approach directional control;
control; developing high or hard shots; return serve consistently proper footwork; can shots, drop shots, and improved court cover-
spin returns difficult shots with directional control direct forehand volleys; half volleys age; starting to look for
defensively on moderate shots controls backhand volley the opportunity to come
but with little offense; to the net; developing
difficulty in putting teamwork in doubles
volleys away

5 4.0 Good consistency; hits Directs the ball with Places both first and Depth and control on Can put away easy Good consistency on
with depth and control consistency and depth second serves, often forehand volley; can overheads; can poach ground strokes with
on moderate shots; may on moderate shots; with power on first direct backhand in doubles; follows directional control and
try to hit too good a developing spin serve; uses spin; volleys but usually lacks aggressive shots to the depth demonstrated on
placement on a difficult dependable return of depth; developing wide net; beginning to finish moderate shots; not yet
shot serve; can return with and low volleys on both point off; can hit to playing good percentage
depth in singles and sides of the body opponent's weaknesses; tennis; teamwork in
mix returns in doubles able to lob defensively doubles is evident; rallies
on difficult shots and may still be lost due to
offensively on set-ups impatience

4 4.5 Very good consistency; Can control direction Aggressive serving with Can handle a mixed Hits approach shots Very good consistency;
uses speed and spin and depth but may limited double faults; sequence of volleys; with good depth and more intentional variety
effectively; controls break down under uses power and spin; good footwork; has control; can consistently in game; is hitting with
depth well; tends to pressure; offensive on developing offense; on depth and directional hit volleys and over- more pace; covers up
over-hit on moderate shots second serve frequently control on backhand; heads to end the point weaknesses well; begin-
difficult shots; offensive hits with good depth and developing touch; most ning to vary game plan
on moderate shots placement; frequently common error is still according to opponent;
hits aggressive service overhitting aggressive net play is
returns; can take pace common in doubles;
off with moderate good anticipation;
success in doubles beginning to handle pace

3 5.0 Strong shots with Can use backhand as Serve is placed effectively Can hit most volleys Approach shots and Frequently has an out-
control, depth, and spin; an aggressive shot with intent of hitting to with depth, pace and passing shots are hit standing shot, consistency,
uses forehand to set up with good consistency; a weakness or developing direction; plays difficult with pace and high or attribute around which
offensive situations; has has good direction and an offensive situation; volleys with depth; degree of effectiveness; game is built; can vary
developed good touch; depth on most shots; has a variety of serves given an opportunity can lob offensively; game plan according to
consistent on passing varies spin to rely on; good depth, volley is often hit for a overhead can be hit opponent; this player is
shots spin, and placement on winner from any position; hits “match wise,” plays
most second serves to mid-court volleys with percentage tennis and
force weak return or set consistency “beats himself or herself”
up next shot; can mix less than the 4.5 player;
aggressive and off-paced solid teamwork in
service returns with doubles is evident; game
control, depth, and spin breaks down mentally
and physically more
often than the 5.5 player

2 5.5 This 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 serves
can be depended on in stress situations and can be hit offensively at any
time; can analyze and exploit opponent's weaknesses; can vary strategies
and style of play in a competitive situation.
6.0 These players will generally not need NTRP ratings. Rankings or past rankings
1 will speak for themselves. The 6.0 player typically has had intensive training
to for national tournament competition at the junior level and collegiate levels
and has obtained a sectional and/or national ranking. The 6.5 player has a
7.0 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.
Players in Wheelchairs:
Players in wheelchairs should use these general characteristics to determine
their NTRP skill level. The only differences are as follows:
Mobility: While players in wheelchairs may have skills that would normally
provide them a certain rating, the mobility factor suggests that when
competing against able-bodied players, they should participate at an NTRP
skill level that provides for competitive rather than compatible play.
Serving ability: Due to the nature of the player’s injury or disability, a
powerful serve may not be possible. In this case, it may be more realistic to
self-rate below 4.0, 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 match
their own before determining their rating. The very best world-class players in
wheelchairs have an NTRP rating in the low 4.5s.

© USTA, IHRSA, USPTA, 1979

Revised, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2005