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SCJTL
Level Rating Guide
Click here for USTA National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP)
Considerations for placement in
SCJTL divisions are based on:
Program design (purpose):
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Skill development
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Workshop or clinic
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Local or broader participation
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Recreation
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Recreational Competition
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Competition
Placing players in the appropriate
level is a multi stage process.
Stage 1- Placement at the start of
a program.
Stage 2- Adjustments made once
program begins
Stage 3- Adjustments made
throughout duration of program based on program level changes and
player improvement.
Understanding the meaning of
divisions and levels.
SCJTL Green, Red, White, and Blue Divisions.
Green
Rally Ball Division
Age 4 to 7 years old.
Learning ball tracking and racquet
handling skills through game play.
Red
Rally Ball Division
Age 7 to 13 years old
Divisions:
Introductory beginner level.
USTA Junior National Tennis Rating
Program level 1.0 to 2.0
White
Junior Team Tennis Division
Age 9 to 14
Participates on Middle School and
most Junior Varsity teams.
Intermediate: (NTRP) level 2.5 to
3.0.
Match play experience from school
and club programs.
May have Level 3 tournament
experience and Regional ranking.
Advanced: (NTRP) level 3.5+.
Match play experience from school
and club programs.
May have Level 2 and 1 tournament
experience and Sectional ranking.
See NTRP level descriptions.
Blue
Junior Team Tennis Division
Age 14 to 18 yrs. old.
2.5 to 4.5
Participates on strong Junior
Varsity and Varsity teams.
Intermediate: (NTRP) level 2.5 to
3.0.
Match play experience from school
and club programs.
May have Level 3 tournament
experience and Regional ranking.
Advanced: (NTRP) level 3.5+.
Match play experience from school,
college (1st yr.) and club programs.
May have Level 2 and 1 tournament
experience and Sectional ranking.
See NTRP level descriptions
Age Issue: This level includes
beginner (2.5 + ) players ages 14 to 18 yrs. old.
USTA
National Tennis Rating Program
NTRP
Click here for NTRP FAQ
To place yourself:
A. Begin with 1.5. Read all categories carefully and then decide
which one best describes your present ability level. Be certain that
you qualify on all points of all preceding levels as well as those
in the level you choose.
B. When rating yourself assume you are playing against a player of
the same gender and the same ability.
General Characteristics of Various NTRP Playing Levels
(Wheelchair players please see note below)
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.
Players in Wheelchairs:
Players in wheelchairs should use these general characteristics to
determine their NTRP skill level. The only differences are as
follows: Mobility: while players in wheelchairs may have skills
that would normally provide them a certain rating, the mobility
factor suggests that when competing against able-bodied players,
they should participate at an NTRP skill level that provides for
competitive rather than compatible play. Serving ability: Due to
the nature of the player’s injury or disability, a powerful serve
may not be possible. In this case, it may be more realistic to
self-rate below 4.0 as service strength becomes key beyond this
level.
NTRP FAQ’s
1. How does the NTRP
compare to the traditional terms of beginner, advanced beginner,
intermediate, etc., or the frequently used letter a, b, c. aa, bb,
aaa, etc.?
A.
The NTRP was designed to standardize the classification of player
ability. There is so much ambiguity associated with these systems
that translation is difficult. In various parts of the country for
example "A" or "Advanced" is the top level of play, while in other
places "AAA" is the best. In general terms, a D player would be a
2.5 and below; a C player would be a 2.6 - 3.5; a B player would be
3.6 - 4.5; and an A player would be 4.6 - 5.5; an open player would
be 5.6 and above.
2. Should players rate
themselves as single players, double players, or both?
A.
Players should rate themselves based on their overall tennis
ability. If players are stronger at singles or doubles, they should
base their rating on the stronger game.
Self Verification
Information
3. Must players
qualify on all points of all preceding NTRP descriptions before
placing themselves in a particular category?
A.
No. The rating categories are generalizations about skill levels.
The ultimate test is in match play results.
4. Can a player with
an obvious stroke deficiency be rated at the same level, or higher,
as a player who has no such deficiency?
A.
Yes. Some players, for example, cannot hit topspin backhands but
have certain abilities that enable them to play competitively with
players who can do so. A player's competitive record is the best
test of his rating.
5. Does the NTRP rate
men and women on the same scale?
A.
The NTRP is used to rate both men and women, but men's and women's
ratings are not intended to be equivalent. When rating themselves,
players should use players of the same gender as reference points.
However, for those individuals wishing to compete against players of
the opposite gender, the following can be use as a guide. At
approximately the 3.5 rating for a man, a woman with a 4.0 rating
will be competitive. When a man reaches the 5.0 level or above a
woman needs to be approximately 1.0 higher in order to be
competitive.
6. Is it possible to
use graduations smaller that .5 in rating players?
A.
No, not when entering leagues by self-rating on Tennis Link. The
intent of self-rating is to get players on the correct level. The
computer will generate a Dynamic rating in hundredths of a point for
administrative use.
7. What does it mean
to play "competitively" with another player?
A.
A "competitive" match is one in which the outcome is unpredictable
(scores such s 6-4, 6-4 or closer). When one player consistently
wins with only the occasional loss of a few games, the match is not
"competitive." Properly rated, players within .2 of each other
should be competitive in playing ability.
8. What does it mean
to be "compatible" with another player?
A.
Players with up to a .5 difference in ratings are generally
considered "compatible." At a .5 difference in ratings, the outcome
is predictable with the higher rated player winning routinely.
"Compatible" players however, can offer each other recreational,
social, and practice benefits.
9. Can a player's
rating change?
A.
Yes. The system may recognize improvement over the year and ratings
may change at year- end.
Age/Rating/Ranking
10. What is the
relationship between ranking and rating?
A.
Ranking is based upon achievement in sanctioned tournaments, many of
which are based on age divisions. Rating is based on match results,
tennis background, and the NTRP Verification Guideline descriptions.
11. How should
individuals rate themselves if they are formerly ranked players who
have not played much in recent year or who have had a permanent
injury?
A.
Ratings will not be downgraded due to layoffs. A person's rating
should be closely related to his or her potential upon resuming play
on a regular basis. Only permanent injuries or aging debilities
should allow for downgraded ratings. Ratings should not be
downgraded due to temporary injury.
12. How does age enter
into the NTRP ratings?
A.
The NTRP is not based on age divisions. All players of the same
gender, regardless of age, should be used as reference points in
determining player ratings.
13. Can the NTRP be
used to rate junior players?
A.
Yes if junior players participate in an adult activity using the
NTRP, their ratings are in comparison to all other players of the
same gender of any age - not just other junior players. Junior
players should not be rated until they are experienced in match
play.
14. How does mobility,
age, competitive experience, and conditioning affect your rating?
Mobility:
Ability to cover the court is a prime factor in competitive success.
Players need to be observed in a competitive situation so that, in
addition to their shot making ability, mobility can be estimated.
Mobility is a more important factors in singles that in doubles.
Age and Competitive
Experience:
as speed decreased with age, a player's competitive ability may be
affected. At the same time, strategy and skills may have improve as
a player ages. Therefore, one must rely on competitive results.
Conditioning:
Temporary changes in conditioning such as a non-permanent injury
should not affect a player's rating. Players whose game and physical
fitness have suffered due to lack of practice and exercise will not
be match tough and should be placed in the category where they
normally compete.
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