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THE NTRP:
Tennis's National Rating System
BETC Member Ratings
1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0
5.5 6.0 6.5 7.0
The NTRP (National Tennis Rating Program) was established in 1978, it
is designed to be easily administered, non exclusive, achieve better
competition, and provide on-court compatibility.
We've included all the various levels, along with more
detailed description, to better understand and identify the different
skill levels.
Modern tennis is about taking time away, the less time
you give your opponent to make a reply, the more your chances of hitting
a winner, or forcing an error. The weaker the player, the less time they give
themselves to prepare and set up to hit the ball.
A 50 mile an hour groundstroke hit directly to an intermediate
player will cause him problems, on the other hand, a 100 mile an hour
groundstroke hit to the open court, in the opposite corner, will be
chased down by Sampras and hit back even harder down the line or cross
court.
The big difference is how early and quickly a top player
can get their body and racket in the hitting zone. The more heat one
can generate (which will rob time from the other player) and the more
heat one can handle, the better one is.
With that in mind, we've added detailed clarification to
the NTRP description.
One tip to keep in mind is:
To generate and handle power, prepare and setup as early as
possible!
The official language of the NTRP is in bold letters, followed by our
interpretation.
For members to participate in leagues that are
skill level specific (3.0, 3.5 etc.) a member must have either a
USTA (NTRP) or Club Rating.
Every quarter the club offers Club Rating clinics. The clinics are
usually in conjunction with a new league sign-up period. Clinics are advertised
at the front desk and in the monthly newsletter. These clinics are given
by Allan Overland and are free to our members.
| NTRP Rating |
Description |
1.0
This player is just starting to play tennis |
This player:
has never played a set of tennis
does not know how to keep score
has problems making contact with the ball
over hits the ball
has the wrong grips
prepares late on all shots
has erratic body movement
has no control of the racquet head
has poor feet, hand and eye coordination
attempts to hit the ball when it is passed their body
misses the ball more often then making contact
Most people who take up tennis and stay with it, do not start out at this level . |
|
1.5
This player has limited experience and is still working primarily on
getting the ball into play |
This player:
has never played a full tennis match
has the wrong grips
prepares and sets late on all shots
can get the ball in play, but not well |
|
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 |
This player:
can get most low-paced balls hit close by, in play
has played a few matches
is looking for the right feel and control of the racquet head
is learning to be in the right position to hit the ball
starting to prepare and set up, but late
is starting to look for the open court |
|
2.5
This player is learning to judge where the ball is going although
coverage is weak. This player can sustain a rally of slow pace with
other players of the same ability |
This player:
is starting to play on a regular basis, at least twice a month
is starting to develop and favoring a more dependable side
is starting to realize his strike zone
is starting to think about hitting the ball harder, but rarely does so
prepares late on all shots
|
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3.0
This player is consistent when hitting medium-paced shots, but is
not comfortable with all strokes and lacks control when trying for
directional intent, depth, or power |
This player:
has found his strike zone
will hit most balls back that are in the strike zone, standing still
is starting to compete
is starting to compare his or her game with others
will push a high percentage of 1st serve in play with little power
plays at least once a week |
|
3.5
This player has achieved improved stroke dependability and direction
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 |
This player:
is maneuvering the body\racquet to hit the ball in his\her strike zone
is starting to go for more, takes more chances
is starting to develop pace and spin
plays at least twice a week
will be consistent against others in the same level or slightly higher
|
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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 hit lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys
with some success. This player occasionally forces errors when serving
and teamwork in doubles is evident |
This player:
is less worried about getting the ball in play
attempts to hit all the required shots
has shots that he\she will get in almost every time
covers the court well
attempts to cover his weaknesses
can not generate power or spin outside the strike zone or on the run |
|
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 tactics according to opponents. This
player can hit first serves with power and accuracy and place the
second serve. This player tends to overhit on difficult shots.
Aggressive net play is common in doubles |
This player:
does not self destruct against others of the same level
can compete with higher level players and may even win
knows his strike zone
has one or two good shots that are very reliable
moves well and gets a lot of balls back |
|
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 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. |
This player:
is always looking to hit his\her favorite shots
has the potential to go in the zone for a little while
can return any shot that's hit close by
can retrieve almost all hard shots that are anticipated
can hit winners off short balls and balls that are in the strike zone
|
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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 a stress situation. |
This player:
has one or two shots that provides dividends against almost any player
has one or two strategies that works against almost any player
wins more than he loses |
|
6.0
This player will generally not need NTRP ratings. Rankings or past
rankings will speak for themselves. The 6.0 player typically has had
intensive training for national tournament competition at the junior
level and collegiate levels and has obtained a sectional and or
national ranking |
This player:
can and has played some satellite events
can be a good competing teaching head pro
prepares right on time
|
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6.5
This player has a reasonable chance of succeeding at the professional |
This player:
has won on the satellite tour
can compete with world class players |
|
7.0
This player 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 |
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