NTRP - National Tennis Rating Program

Updated: 04/03/10

NTRP Documents
NTRP Guidebook

NTRP Poster

The NTRP - (See below)

Gay Lesbian Tennis Federation San Francisco - NTRP

NTRP Links
GLTA Divisions - (NTRP)

USTA NTRP (National Tennis Rating Program)

THE NTRP
Tennis's national rating system (US)
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 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 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 up a month late on all shots Can get the ball in play, but it looks bad
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 prepares and sets up two weeks 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 a week late on all shots
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, 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
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 prepares and sets up 3 days late
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 prepares 2 days late Prepares and sets up to hit 2 days late
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 prepares 1 day late
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 prepares an hour late
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
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
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