The Junior National Tennis Rating Program
General
Characteristics of Various Playing levels
1.0
Player is just starting to play tennis and is learning the basic skills of
serving, forehands, backhands and volleys.
1.5
Player is only slightly more advanced than a 1.0 player.
Player needs to coordinate moving when hitting the ball.
In fact, player is still concentrating on getting the ball over the
net from a stationary position.
Player is learning to serve and keep score.
2.0
Player is now
beginning to coordinate footwork when contacting the ball but is not
consistent in hitting the ball over the net.
Player can serve to some degree but double faults frequently.
Player understands scoring as well as correct positions for serving
and receiving. Player has
limited success with volley but has knowledge of court positioning in both
singles and doubles.
2.5
Player is able to
judge where the ball is going.
Player can sustain a slow-paced rally of several shots with someone of the
same ability using both forehand and backhand sides and can volley with
moderate success. Player can
keep score unassisted, can call own lines, can serve overhand from the
baseline, and has an understanding of the basic rules.
3.0
Player is getting
better at moving to the ball and is improving court coverage, can sustain a
rally with consistency on slow- to moderate-paced shots.
Player serves with fair consistency with few double faults.
On groundstrokes, player needs to improve control height, depth,
direction and speed. Player
attempts to move opponent from side to side and hits to the opponent’s
weakness.
3.5
Player can sustain a rally and is beginning to develop directional
control and depth of
groundstrokes. Player is
starting to recognize opportunities to attack short balls by coming to the
net. Player is developing more
spin and power on the serve and seldom double faults.
Player is becoming more aggressive an applying basic strategy in
singles and using teamwork in doubles.
4.0
Player has
dependable strokes, including directional control and depth on higher-paced
shots and has good court coverage.
Player has added variety in shot selection by using lobs, overheads,
volleys and approach shots with some success.
Player is developing a game plan, is serving with good consistency
and is not forcing some errors with power and/or spin.
Player demonstrates good teamwork in doubles.
4.5
Player has a very
dependable game and executes most shots consistently on higher-paced shots.
Player’s court coverage and footwork are sound and has begun to
master the use of power and spins.
Player can vary depth of shots and game plan according to opponents.
Player’s firs serve may produce some winners and second serves are
hit with good spin and placement.
Player can be aggressive in both singles and doubles and covers
weaknesses well. Player is
developing an offensive weapon.
5.0
Player has good shot anticipation and frequently has an outstanding shot or
weapon around which a game may be structured.
Player can regularly hit winners or forces errors on short balls and
is capable of all shots.
Player’s first serve is an offensive weapon and often allows rushing the net
after the first or second serve.
Volleys and overhead smashes are typically winning shots.
Player is matchwise and uses shots that have a high percentage of
success in both singles and doubles.