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
 General & Experienced Player Guidelines
Supplement to the NTRP Guidelines
7.0 6.5 6.0 5.5 5.0 4.5 4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5
You are a You are You have had You have mastered You have good shot You have developed your You have dependable This player has This player is fairly This player is
world- currently intensive training power and/or anticipation and frequently use of power and spin and strokes, including achieved improved consistent when learning to judge
class playing for national consistency as a have an outstanding shot can handle pace. You have directional control and stroke dependability hitting medium where the ball is
Characteristics

player. USTA circuit tournament major weapon. You or attribute around which a sound footwork, can depth on both forehand with directional control paced shots, but is going although
events in competition at the can vary strategies game may be structured. control depth of shots, and and backhand sides on on moderate shots, not comfortable court coverage is
hopes of a junior and and styles of play You can regularly hit attempt to vary game plan moderate-paced shots. but still lacks depth with all strokes and weak. Can
General
NTRP

professional collegiate levels in a competitive winners or force errors off according to your You can use lobs, and variety. This lacks execution sustain a short
tennis and have obtained situation and hit of short balls and can put opponents. You can hit overheads, approach shots player exhibits more when trying for rally of slow
career. a sectional and/or dependable shots away volleys. You can first serves with power and and volleys with some aggressive net play, directional control, pace with other
has improved court depth, or power. players of the
national ranking. in a stress successfully execute lobs, accuracy and place the success and occasionally
coverage, and is Most common same ability.
situation. drop shots, half volleys, second serve. You tend to force errors when serving.
developing teamwork doubles formation
overhead smashes, and overhit on difficult shots. Rallies may be lost due to
in doubles. is one-up, one-
have good depth and spin Aggressive net play is impatience. Teamwork in
back.
on most second serves. common in doubles. doubles is evident.

World Class
Age 35 and Age Age Age
Players (top 400 Current Age 40 and under
in world)
under 41 to 50 51 to 60 61 and over Players in wheelchairs should use these same
General Characteristics to determine their NTRP skill
Satellite, Futures, Circuit level. The only difference observed is mobility and
Age 35 Age Age Age
Players Current power on the serve based on the severity of the
(over # 400 in world) and under 36 - 45 46 to 55 56 and over
injury. The very best World Class players in
wheelchairs have an NTRP rating in the low 4.5
Div. 1 Top 75 ranked college Age 30 Age Age Age range.
team or player
Age 61 and over
and under 31 to 40 41 to 50 51 to 60

For more details concerning specific playing

Div. 1 unranked college team or player; NAIA, Age 30 Age Age Age 56
Div. 2 & 3 top ranked college team or player and under 31 to 45 46 - 55 and over
characteristics, see NTRP Specific Characteristics
on www.usta.com/leagues

Domestic or foreign Junior 18's ranked in top Age 30 Age Age Age 56
150 nationally or in a section in the top 20 and under 31 to 45 46 - 55 and over

Domestic or foreign Adults ranked in the top Age 30 Age Age Age 56
20 nationally or in a section in the top 10 and under 31 to 45 46 - 55 and over

NAIA, Div. 2 & 3 unranked college team player -program with no scholarships (not much stronger than High School
Age 35
tennis); Junior College player; Age 36 and over
Former Juniors who had national (foreign or domestic) rankings but did not tour or play in college and under

Tennis Professionals Minimum level

Successful High School High School

High school tennis athlete may not self-rate below 3.0 and should consider their high school experience when self-rating
Experience Experience

Players new to tennis who have had competitive experience in other sports should consider the rapid improvement anticipated and not rate below 3.0 Athletic ability

The USA League Tennis Committee has approved these guidelines as a tool for accurate self-rating and NTRP Self-rate Grievance decisions. These guidelines will be advertised to players and captains and will be considered fair warning to players and captains who
commit or condone future self rating abuses. USA League Tennis Grievance Committees may suspend captains for condoning self rating abuses. Grievance committees have the authority to dismiss complaints or alter the application of these guidelines when they
deem appropriate. The USA League Tennis Committee asks all players, captains, coordinators, tennis professionals and volunteers to join the campaign to maintain the integrity of the NTRP Rating System! 2003, 2004 and Current college team rankings for Div 1, Div
2,Div 3,NAIA and Junior colleges may be found at www.itatennis.com. Click on tab at top of website titled "College Tennis Online" for individual player searches. updated November 2005

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