The NTRP (National Tennis Rating Program) was developed by the USTA to determine the level of a tennis player based on their skill and abilities. After years of the program being based on a subjective point of view by having professionals visually rate players, it has turned now to be more objective with the introduction of computer ratings. All scores from official matches are entered in to the computer and you are compared by actual results instead of how your strokes look.
The USTA computer uses a trickle down effect to determine ratings. The players that qualify to play at nationals are given benchmark ratings by results. They then take those ratings back to their section and determine the ratings of the players that they played against in the section championships. Those players take their rating back to the state, regional and divisional championships to determine all of those players levels. All of the above players are benchmarked and players playing against them during the season’s ratings are determined by those benchmarks. It is a good thing computers handle all of that!
The USTA asks all players that are participating in USTA League Tennis as well as USTA Sanctioned Tournaments to have a NTRP rating. Your initial rating is what is referred to as a self rating. You should go through the descriptions of each level and see if you can place yourself in the most appropriate level.
1.5 You have limited experience and are working primarily on getting the ball in play.
2.0 You lack court experience and your strokes need developing. You are familiar with the basic positions for singles and doubles play.
2.5 You are learning to judge where the ball is going, although your court coverage is limited. You can sustain a short rally of slow pace with other players of the same ability.
3.0 You are fairly consistent when hitting medium-paced shots, but are not comfortable with all strokes and lack execution when trying for directional control, depth, or power. Your most common doubles formation is one-up, one-back.
3.5 You have achieved improved stroke dependability with directional control on moderate shots, but need to develop depth and variety. You exhibit more aggressive net play, have improved court coverage and are developing teamwork in doubles.
4.0 You have dependable strokes, including directional control and depth on both forehand and backhand sides on moderate-paced shots. You can use lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys with some success and occasionally force errors when serving. Rallies may be lost due to impatience. Teamwork in doubles is evident.
4.5 You have developed your use of power and spin and can handle pace. You have sound footwork, can control depth of shots, and attempt to vary game plan according to your opponents. You can hit first serves with power and accuracy and place the second serve. You tend to over-hit on difficult shots. Aggressive net play is common in doubles.
5.0 You have good shot anticipation and frequently have an outstanding shot or attribute around which a game may be structured. You can regularly hit winners or force errors off of short balls and can put away volleys. You can successfully execute lobs, drop shots, half volleys, overhead smashes, and have good depth and spin on most second serves.
5.5 You have mastered power and/or consistency as a major weapon. You can vary strategies and styles of play in a competitive situation and hit dependable shots in a stress situation.
6.0 to 7.0 You have had intensive training for national tournament competition at the junior and collegiate levels and have obtained a sectional and/or national ranking.
7.0 You are a world-class player.
I still feel the best way to figure out your rating is to play with people who have computer USTA ratings and see how you compare with them. If you are pretty even (meaning the scores of the match, not the way your strokes look) then that is probably your level. If you are losing big or winning big, test your skills with players of lower or higher levels and compare.
It is very important that you put yourself in the proper level right away and if you are to estimate your level, guess low. There is nothing more discouraging that to start playing USTA Team Tennis and get blown out every match. Remember, you can always play up a level but never down a level. Once your rating has been established and it is too high, almost the only way to get it changed is to play through it and take your lumps until the computer moves you down which could be years. If you go in low, you can always sign up for a higher level team and you don’t even need permission from the USTA to do that.
If you need further help with ratings, please comment on this post, join me on Facebook at http://facebook.com/successfultennis or contact your local tennis professional or league coordinator.
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