So, What your type of player are you?
or What's your tennis rating?
Many casual recreational players will
just say - Beginner or Intermediate, but there are many sub-categories of each.
The most challenging, fun and
competitive tennis is playing opponents of similar levels to yourself.
Please find below the
USTA's NTRP ratings program categories,
which may help you better determine, where you're at OR you can always
just generally ask tennis coaches, instruction professional or even friendly
competitors.
If you are looking to meet
local Hoboken or North Jersey tennis partners at your level you're welcome to
post a Tennis Partners AD Personal ad on
our PARTNERs webpage..
NTRP Scale - NATIONAL
TENNIS RATING PROGRAM
Verification Guidelines - Please note: You must get rated by an official NTRP verifier in order to
participate in USTA - U.S. Tennis Association leagues.
OR
Recreational Playing the USTA has implemented a Self Fating System
with notes below for your own level setting. See USTA website for details
Specific Characteristics of Various Playing Levels
1.0
This player is just starting to play tennis
1.5
This player has limited experience and is still working primarily on getting the
ball into play
2.0
FOREHAND: Incomplete swing; lacks directional intent BACKHAND: Avoids backhands; erratic contact; grip problems; incomplete
swing SERVE/RETURN OF SERVE: Incomplete service motion; double faults common;
toss is inconsistent; return of serve erratic VOLLEY: Reluctant to play net; avoids BH; lacks footwork PLAYING STYLE: Familiar with basic positions for singles and doubles
play; frequently out of position
2.5
FOREHAND: Form developing; prepared for moderately paced shots BACKHAND: Grip and preparation problems; often chooses to hit FH instead
of BH SERVE/RETURN OF SERVE: Attempting a full swing; can get the ball in play
at slow pace; inconsistent toss; can return slow paced serve VOLLEY: Uncomfortable at net especially on the BH side; frequently uses
FH racket face on BH volleys SPECIAL SHOTS: Can lob intentionally but with little control; can make
contact on overheads PLAYING STYLE: Can sustain a short rally of slow pace; weak court
coverage; usually remains in the initial doubles position
3.0 FOREHAND: Fairly consistent with some directional intent; lacks depth
control BACKHAND: Frequently prepared; starting to hit with fair consistency on
moderate shots SERVE/RETURN OF SERVE: Developing rhythm; little consistency when trying
for power; second serve is often considerably slower than first serve; can
return serve with fair consistency VOLLEY: Consistent FH volley; inconsistent BH volley, has trouble with
low and wide shots SPECIAL SHOTS: Can lob consistently on moderate shots PLAYING STYLE: Consistent on medium-paced shots; most common doubles
formation is still one-up, one-back; approaches net when play dictates but weak
in execution
3.5 FOREHAND: Good consistency and variety on moderate shots; good
directional control; developing spin BACKHAND: Hitting with directional control on moderate shots; has
difficulty on high or hard shots; returns difficult shot defensively SERVE/RETURN OF SERVE: Starting to serve with control and some power;
developing spin; can return serve consistently with directional control on
moderate shots VOLLEY: More aggressive net play; some ability to cover side shots; uses
proper footwork; can direct FH volleys; controls BH volley but with little
offense; difficulty in putting volleys away SPECIAL SHOTS: Consistent overhead on shots within reach; developing
approach shots, drop shots; and half volleys; can place the return of most
second serves PLAYING STYLE: Consistency on moderate shots with directional control;
improved court coverage; starting to look for the opportunity to come to the
net; developing teamwork in doubles
4.0 FOREHAND: Dependable; hits with depth and control on moderate shots; may
try to hit too good a placement on a difficult shot BACKHAND: Player can direct the ball with consistency and depth on
moderate shots; developing spin SERVE/RETURN OF SERVE: Places both first and second serves; frequent
power on first serve; uses spin; dependable return of serve; can return with
depth in singles and mix returns in doubles VOLLEY: Depth and control on FH volley; can direct BH volleys but usually
lacks depth; developing wide and low volleys on both sides of the body SPECIAL SHOTS: Can put away easy overheads; can poach in doubles; follows
aggressive shots to the net; beginning to finish point off; can hit to
opponent's weaknesses; able to lob defensively on setups; dependable return of
serve PLAYING STYLE: Dependable ground strokes with directional control and
depth demonstrated on moderate shots; not yet playing good percentage tennis;
teamwork in doubles is evident; rallies may still be lost due to impatience
4.5 FOREHAND: Very dependable; uses speed and spin effectively; controls
depth well; tends to overhit on difficult shots; offensive on moderate shots BACKHAND: Can control direction and depth but may break down under
pressure; can hit power on moderate shots SERVE/RETURN OF SERVE: Aggressive serving with limited double faults;
uses power and spin; developing offense; on second serve frequently hits with
good depth and placement; frequently hits aggressive service returns; can take
pace off with moderate success in doubles VOLLEY: Can handle a mixed sequence of volleys; good footwork; has depth
and directional control on BH; developing touch; most common error is still
overhitting SPECIAL SHOTS: Approach shots hit with good depth and control; can
consistently hit volleys and overheads to end the point; frequently hits
aggressive service returns PLAYING STYLE: More intentional variety in game; is hitting with more
pace; covers up weaknesses well; beginning to vary game plan according to
opponent; aggressive net play is common in doubles; good anticipation; beginning
to handle pace
5.0 FOREHAND: Strong shot with control, depth, and spin; uses FH to set up
offensive situations; has developed good touch; consistent on passing shots BACKHAND: Can use BH as an aggressive shot with good consistency; has
good direction and depth on most shots; varies spin SERVE/RETURN OF SERVE: Serve is placed effectively with the intent of
hitting to a weakness or developing an offensive situation; has a variety of
serves to rely on; good depth, spin, and placement on most second serves to
force weak return or set up next shot; can mix aggressive and off-paced service
returns with control, depth, and spin VOLLEY: Can hit most volleys with depth, pace, and direction; plays
difficult volleys with depth; given opportunity, volley is often hit for a
winner SPECIAL SHOTS: Approach shots and passing shots are hit with pace and a
high degree of effectiveness; can lob offensively; overhead can be hit from any
position; hits mid-court volley with consistency; can mix aggressive and
off-paced service returns PLAYING STYLE: Frequently has an outstanding shot or attribute around
which his game is built; can vary game plan according to opponent; this player
is 'match wise,' plays percentage tennis, and 'beats himself' less than the 4.5
player; solid teamwork in doubles is evident; game breaks down mentally and
physically more often than the 5.5 player
5.5
This player can hit dependable shots in stress situations; has developed good
anticipation; can pick up cues from such things as opponent's toss, body
position, backswing, preparation; first and second serves can be depended on in
stress situations and can be hit offensively at any time; can analyze and
exploit opponent's weaknesses; has developed power and /or consistency as a
major weapon; can vary strategies and style of play in a competitive situation.
6.0 -6.5
WOW -These players 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. The 6.5 player has a
reasonable chance of succeeding at the 7.0 level and has extensive satellite
tournament experience.
7.0
The Professionals - The 7.0 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.
Stevens - Professional Racquet Stringing, Tennis apparel and
Equipment
STRINGERS
Contact
Information for ALL
Stevens Tennis Programs, Memberships and Services
Steve Gachko
Head Men’s
and Women’s Tennis Coach Checks- Made Out To:
201-216-5694
(office)
201-407-8893
( Cell) TO:
Stevens Athletics Department – Tennis
*
Events Notice * - We would please ask ALL participants
to assist with our group events. The more you help, the more fun our
events will be. Guests welcomed, the more, the merrier.
HTC - Hoboken Tennis Club is area community based All Volunteer Members
sports
interest association. HTC compliments and supports other Hoboken
Area
sports, social and community groups. All HTC event
organizers donate their time and pay for their own participation
fees in all events. Any group event fees that participants pay just cover the court
rental fees and equipment costs. You are just paying your own way or your
fair share of your own participation costs. Much like paying for your
own dinner. Our volunteer group's individual event organizers make zero dollars,
it's all volunteer and their time is donated.
Event Pre-payments are
requested for fully confirmed guaranteed reserved player spots and are only
requested so other tennis players aren't stuck with court costs, for no
shows.