The NTRP tennis rating system: self-rated program helps members, teaching pros enhance participation & competition.

In 1978, the United States Tennis Association (USTA), in cooperation with the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) and the International Health, Racquet, and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), undertook a study of the many tennis rating systems in existence at the time. Researchers involved in evaluating the existing systems agreed that a rating program had to be universally accepted, easy to administer, and non-exclusive in order to be successful.

With this in mind, the USTA, USPTA, and IHRSA chose to adopt and promote the National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP), a classification system that today identifies and describes 13 levels of tennis-playing ability. The sponsoring organizations reasoned that by standardizing the method of classifying players throughout the country, players could achieve better competition, on-court compatibility, personal challenge, and enjoyment. The NTRP is also an excellent tool for player placement in group lessons, leagues, tournaments, and other programs.

Benefits of the NTRP for Teaching Pros

The NTRP is one of the most versatile programming tools currently available to teaching professionals for strengthening their tennis programs, thereby increasing their revenues while promoting the growth of tennis. Through a variety of applications, the NTRP can increase the number of players and the enjoyment of those players at your club. Here are some ways that your teaching pro can apply the NTRP:

* The NTRP can be used to ensure equitable competition in virtually every type of league activity including USTA League Tennis, corporate leagues, interclub leagues, and intraclub leagues.

* The NTRP is the perfect equalizer for any recreational tournament at private facilities that will benefit from level competition. These include round robins; ladders; men's, women's, and mixed doubles tournaments; adult-child events; and team tournaments.

* The NTRP can be used to put together players of compatible playing levels for group lessons. Maintaining player compatibility in group lessons is a major determinant of a group's longevity. It also encourages pupils to practice between lessons.

* The NTRP offers an ideal progression around which to plan a tennis teaching program. The distinction between one NTRP level and the next in regards to basic strokes and strategies makes it an ideal guide for planning lesson programs.

* The distinct progression that the NTRP provides for lesson programming is an effective marketing/sales tool for teaching professionals in promoting their respective lesson programs.

* NTRP ratings are a key element in establishing a reliable player bank, either a manual or computerized listing of available players by level.

* NTRP provides the teaching professional with a tool to encourage non-tennis players at any facility to make tennis their "second"--if not their first--sport. Being able to arrange immediate and compatible games or lessons for non-players is a step toward converting those individuals to tennis.

* NTRP provides the imaginative tennis professional with a number of ways to equalize individuals or teams during a match. The difference between two NTRP ratings can be used as a means of adding to, subtracting from, or working off points in order to win a game in any fun set or handicap/equalization tournament.

* NTRP is tennis's answer to generating motivational improvement of players.

* Since it is a universal rating system, the NTRP allows teaching professionals to recommend lesson programs and games to visitors from distant sites.

Implementation

Some ideas for implementation of the rating system at your club:

* Players should be given sufficient information and resources to be able to rate themselves, including contact information for assistance. The self-rating guideline poster should be displayed in a prominent spot as a reference for participants, mailed to players, and distributed at the facility where the NTRP is used. Clubs can direct players to USTA.com for NTRP characteristics.

* A qualified person should handle such details as scheduling matches and keeping accurate records of results.

* After the NTRP is established, a computer program may generate ratings, which are based on match results. The club should maintain a file of all rated players and keep it up-to-date as ratings change. This facilitates matching players for social or competitive programs. Once the program is established, maintenance tasks such as updating the file become routine, but they do require time and effort.

Self-Rating: How It Works

The NTRP describes the general characteristics that tennis players exhibit in each of 13 skill levels. Depending on players' competitive abilities and other factors, they may find that they actually play above or below the category that best describes their skill levels. The category they choose is not meant to be permanent, but can be adjusted as their skills change or as their match play demonstrates the need for reclassification. Ultimately, players' ratings are based upon match results. With these caveats in mind, the following provides general guidelines for self-rating and then for checking the probable accuracy of the self-rating.

All players should begin with 1.0. After carefully reading all of the general characteristics of each category, they can then decide which one best describes their present tennis-playing ability. For the play level they choose, they should be able to answer the following question with a 'Yes' answer: "Can I play competitively against any age player of my gender who is rated at the same level that I have rated myself?"

Used correctly, this self-rating system will promote competitiveness and long-term participation among your club's tennis players.

NTRP RATINGS

1.0--Just starting to play tennis, but is familiar with basic positions for singles and doubles play. Frequently out of position.

2.0--Can sustain a short rally or slow pace. Weak court coverage and modest consistency.

3.0--Fairly consistent on medium-paced shots. Approaches net only when play dictates.

4.0--Good consistency on ground strokes and depth demonstrated on moderate shots.

5.0--Frequently has an outstanding shot and consistency, and can vary game plan according to opponent.

6.0-7.0--Has had intensive training for national tournament competition and has obtained a sectional and/or national ranking surpassing an NTRP rating.