THE NTRP

We've included all the various levels, along with more detailed
description, to help better understand and identify the different skill levels.

Modern tennis is about time and timing. 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 major problems. A 100 mile an hour
groundstroke hit to the open court, in the opposite corner, will be
chased down by Pete 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, based on time.

One tip to keep in mind is:
To generate and handle power, you must prepare and setup as early as possible!

The official language of the NTRP is numbered, followed by our
interpretation.

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
     hits the ball over the fence
     has the wrong grips
     prepares a year 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 his body
     cmpletely 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. 

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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 up a month late on all shots
     Can get the ball in play, but it looks bad

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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 to him, 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
    prepares and sets up two weeks late
    is starting to look for the open court

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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 a week 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, dept, or power

    This player:
    has found his strike zone
    will hit most balls back that are in the strike zone, wile 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
    prepares 4 days late

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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 power, and take 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 below
    prepares and sets up 3 days late

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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 developed some reliable shots
     covers the court relatively well
     attempts to hide his weaknesses
     can not generate power or spin outside his strike zone or on the run 
     Prepares and sets up to hit 2 days late

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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 and forceful
    moves well and gets a lot of balls back
    prepares 1 day late

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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
    can return any shot that's hit close to him
    can retrieve almost all hard shots that he anticipates
    can hit winners off short balls and balls that are in the strike zone
    prepares an hour late

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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
    prepares a minute late

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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


6.5 This player has a reasonable chance of succeeding at the professional 
    7.0 level and has a reasonable satellite tournament experience.


    This player:
    has won on the satellite tour
    can compete with world class players
    prepares and sets up a minute early

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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


    This player:
    can be as high as number 50 in the world
    prepares and sets up an hour early

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Top 20 player:
    prepares and sets up a day early


Top 10 player:
    prepares and sets up a week early


Top 5 player:
    prepares and sets up to hit a month early


Number one in the world:
    prepares and sets up a year early