From: snguyen@orion.oac.uci.edu (Son Nguyen)
Subject: USTA rating
Newsgroups: rec.sport.tennis
Organization: University of California, Irvine
Date: 12 Aug 92 15:59:50 GMT

Since noone has done so...

I saved this file from r.s.t a while back, don't know who posted it
originally.

The following is a reprinting of the U.S.T.A. self rating system.

Ratings:

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 same ability.

3.0    This player 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 serve 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 or exceptional consistancy 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 preasure; is able to analyze opponents'
       style and can employ patterns of play to assure the greatest possibility
       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 consistancy as a major weapon; can vary strategies and styles
       of play in a compeitive situation. This player typically has had inten-
       sive 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 comptition and whose
       income may be partially derived from prize winnings.

7.0    This is a world class player.

       With this list you can rate yourself. Should you realize that your
abilities range between two catagories, then the lower one should be used
to determine your playing level.

Son Nguyen
snguyen@orion.oac.uci.edu

ps - I rate myself as 5.5, I'm sure others would disagree.