NTRP Guidelines
Use the following guidelines to help place participants in proper skill levels.

These guidelines may be used by a coach, parent or a player. Skill levels will be monitored at District and Sectional Championships.


1.0 Player is just starting to play tennis and is learning the basic skills of serving, forehands, backhands and volleys.

1.5 Player needs to coordinate moving when hitting the ball. 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 often. Player understands scoring as well as correct serving and return of serve positions. Player has limited success with volleys but has knowledge of court positioning in singles and doubles.

2.5 Player is able to judge where 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 baseline and has understanding of 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 of height, depth, direction and speed. Player attempts to move opponent from side to side and hit 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 and applying basic strategy in singles and 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 now 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 first 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 force errors on short balls and is capable of all shots. Player's first serve is an offensive weapon and often rushes the net after the first or second serve. Volleys and overheads are typically winning shots. Player is match-wise and uses shots that have a high percentage of success in both singles and doubles.