Palgrave Tennis Club

Promoting Tennis as a Rewarding Lifelong Activity

 

Self-Rating Guidelines

 

The National Tennis Rating Program provides a simple, initial self-placement method of grouping individuals of similar ability levels for league play, tournaments, group lessons, social competition and club or community programs.

 

The rating categories are generalizations about skill levels.  You may find that you actually play above or below the category that best describes your skill level, depending on your competitive ability.  The category you choose is not meant to be static, but may be adjusted as your skills change or as your match play demonstrates the need for reclassification.

 

To Place Yourself

 

1.      Read all categories carefully and then decide which one best describes your present ability level.

2.      Be certain that you qualify on all points of all preceding categories as well as those in the classification you choose.

3.      In you are uncertain between two categories, place yourself in the lower one.

4.      Your self-rating may be verified by a teaching professional coach, league convener or other qualified expert.

5.      The person in charge of your tennis program has the right to reclassify you if your self-placement is thought to be inappropriate.

 

Ratings

 

1.0         This player is just starting to play tennis.

1.5         This player has played a limited amount but is still working primarily on getting the ball over the net; has some knowledge of scoring but is not familiar with basic positions and procedures for singles and doubles play.

2.0         This player may have had some lessons but needs on-court experience; has obvious stroke weakness but is beginning to feel comfortable with singles and doubles play.

2.5         This player has more dependable strokes but is still unable to judge where the ball is going; has weak court coverage; is still working just to keep the ball in play with others of the same ability level.

3.0         This player can place shots with moderate success; can sustain a rally of slow pace but is not comfortable with all strokes; lacks consistency in serving.

3.5         This player still lacks stroke dependability, depth and variety but has improved ability to direct shots away from opponent; rarely double faults but does not usually force errors on serve; hits forehand and backhand volleys with consistency if ball is within reach.

4.0         This player has dependable strokes on both forehand and backhand sides; has the ability to use a variety of shots and volleys; can position in doubles game.

4.5         This player has begun to master the use of power and spins; has sound footwork; can control depth of shots and is able to move the opponent up and back; can hit first serves with above average power and accuracy and place the second serve; is able to rush the net with some success on serve against players of similar ability.

5.0         This player has good shot anticipation; is able to overcome some stroke deficiency with outstanding shots or exceptional consistency; will approach net at opportune times and is often able to force an error or make a winning placement; can execute lobs, drop shots, half-volleys and overhead smashes with above average success; is able to vary the spin on the serve.

5.5         This player is able to execute all strokes offensively and defensively; can hit first serves for winners and second serves to set up an offensive situation; maintains a winning level of play in social tennis and can reach at least quarter-finals or semi-finals of the highest level club or park championship.

6.0         This player has mastered all the above skills; is able to his both slice and topspin serves; can vary strategies and styles of play in a competitive situation; is capable of being ranked in a major city of USTA district.

6.5         This player has developed power and/or consistency as a major weapon; has all the above skills as well as the concentration necessary for successful tournament play; is capable of earning a USTA ranking.

7.0         This player is highly skilled in all of the above categories; is a polished tournament player who has traveled extensively for sanctioned competitions; has been ranked nationally by the USTA.

Self Rating Tips