From: GE.TEG@forsythe.stanford.edu (Tito E. Gervacio)
Subject: Rating Yourself, Courtesy of USTA
Organization: Stanford University, California, USA
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1992 02:32:51 GMT

                 NATIONAL TENNIS RATING PROGRAM



Purpose:

   1.  The International Racquet Sports Association has worked
       in close harmony with the United States Professional Tennis
       Association and the United States Tennis Association to make
       available to the tennis-playing publis this simplified
       self-rating program.

   2.  The primary goal of the program is to help all tennis
       players enjoy the game by providing a method of classifying
       skill levels for more compatible matches, group lessons,
       league play, tournaments and other programs.

   3.  The National Tennis Rating Program is based on the premise
       that any placement program must be easy to administer, free,
       non-commercial and non-exclusive (in order to be universally
       accepted and effective).

 Self-Rating Guidelines:

      The National Tennis Rating Program provides a  simple,
 initial  self-placement  method  of grouping individuals of
 similar ability levels for league play,  tournament,  group
 lessons, social competition and club or community programs.

      The rating categories are generalizations about  skill
 levels.  You may find that you actually play above or below
 the  category  which  best  describes  your  skill   level,
 depending  on  your  competitive ability.  The category you
 choose is not meant to be permanent, but may be adjusted as
 your skills change or as your match play  demonstrates  the
 need for reclassification.  Ultimately your rating is based
 upon your results in match play.

  To place yourself:

  A.  Begin with 1.0.  Read all the categories carefully and then
      decide which one best describes your present ability
      level.

  B.  Be certain that you qualify on all points of all preceding
      categories as well as those in the classification you choose.

  C.  When rating yourself assume you are playing against a player
      of the same sex and the same ability.

  D.  Your self-rating may be verified by a teaching professional,
      coach, league coordinator or other qualified expert.

  E.  The person in charge of your tennis program has the right
      to reclassify you if your self-placement is thought to be
      inappropriate based upon match results.



1.0    This player is just starting to play tennis.

1.5    This player has limited playing experience and is still
       working primarily on getting the ball over the net; has
       some knowledge of scoring but is not familiar with basic
       positions and procedures for singles and doubles play.

2.0    This player may have had some lessons but needs on-court
       experience; has obvious stroke weaknesses but is beginning
       to feel comfortable with singles and doubles play.

2.5    This player has more dependable strokes and is learning
       to judge where the ball is going; has weak court coverage
       or is often caught out of position, but is starting to
       keep the ball in play with other players of the same
       ability.

3.0   This players can place shots with moderate success; can
      sustain a rally of slow pace but is not comfortable with
      all strokes; lacks control when trying for power.

3.5   This player has achieved stroke dependability and direction
      on shots within reach, including forehand and backhand
      volleys, but still lacks depth and variety; seldom double
      faults and occasionally forces errors on the serve.

4.0   This player has dependable strokes on both forehand and
      backhand sides; has the ability to use a variety of shots
      including lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys; can
      place the first serve and force some errors; is seldom out
      of position in a doubles game.

4.5   This player has begun to master the use of power and spins;
      has sound footwork; can control depth of shots and is able
      to move opponent up and back; can hit first serves with
      power and accuracy and place the second serve; is able to
      rush the net with some success on serve in singles as well
      as doubles.

5.0   This player has good shot anticipation; frequently has an
      outstanding shot of exceptional consistency around which a
      game may be structured; can regularly hit winners or force
      errors off of short balls; can successfully execute lobs,
      drop shots, half volleys and overhead smashes; has good
      depth and spin on most second serves.

5.5   This player can execute all strokes offensively and
      defensively; can hit dependable shots under pressure; is
      able to analyze opponents' styles and can employ patterns
      of play to assure the greatest posibility of winning
      points; can hit winners or force errors with both first and
      second serves.  Return of serve can be an offensive weapon.

6.0   This player has mastered all of the above skills; has
      developed power and/or consistency as a major weapon; can
      vary strategies and styles of play in a competitive
      situation.  This player typically has had intensive training
      for national competition at junior or collegiate levels.

6.5   This player has mastered all of the above skills and is
      an experienced tournament competitor who regularly travels
      for competition and whose income may be partially derived
      from prize winnings.

7.0   This is a world class player.  Variations are measured by
      computerized rankings.