What is NTRP and Dynamic NTRP?

The Mid-Atlantic was one of 4 USTA Sections (including Northern, New England and Texas) which began using the new "Dynamic" NTRP system for all 2002 league programs. Use of Dynamic NTRP became mandatory in all 17 Sections of the USTA beginning in 2003.

Key features of the system are:

• elimination of verifiers and rating clinics
• new players must self-rate their way into the program
• calculation of a new (dynamic) rating for every player after each match played

The new system is intended to encourage new player participation by eliminating the time and cost of rating clinics, while protecting the overall program integrity through its "three strikes and you're out" methodology. Disqualification would result if a player's dynamic rating reached the "clearly above level" threshold 3 times, counting all matches played up through the Sectional championships.

Self Rating Procedure

General Characteristics of NTRP Playing Levels - Abbreviated
2.0: This player needs on-court experience. This player has obvious stroke weaknesses, but is familiar with basic positions for singles and doubles play.

2.5: This player is learning to judge where the ball is going although court coverage is weak. This player can sustain a short rally of slow pace with other players of the same ability.

3.0: This player is fairly consistent when hitting medium paced shots, but is not comfortable with all strokes and lacks execution when trying for directional control, depth, or power. Most common doubles formation is one-up, one-back.

3.5: This player has achieved improved stroke dependability with directional control on moderate shots, but still lacks depth and variety. This player exhibits more aggressive net play, has improved court coverage, and is developing teamwork in doubles.

4.0: This player has dependable strokes, including directional control and depth on both forehand and backhand sides on moderate shots, plus the ability to use lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys with some success. This player occasionally forces errors when serving. Rallies may be lost due to impatience. Teamwork in doubles is evident.

4.5: This player has begun to master the use of power and spins and is beginning to handle pace, has sound footwork, can control depth of shots, and is beginning to vary game plan according to opponents. This player can hit first serves with power and accuracy and place the second serve. This player tends to overhit on difficult shots. Aggressive net play is common in doubles.

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

5.5: This player has developed power and/or consistency as a major weapon. This player can vary strategies and styles of play in a competitive situation and hits dependable shots in a stressful situation.

6.0-7.0: The 6.0 player typically has had intensive training for national tournament competition at the junior and collegiate levels and has obtained a sectional and/or national ranking. The 7.0 is a world class player.

Players wishing to participate in USTA League Tennis can review the General Characteristics of NTRP Playing Levels listed below and then record their self-rating when they register for their team on TennisLink.

1. Players only self-rate when registering for a team. They must have a team code to start the process.
2. Go to TennisLink.
3. Click on "Register for a team" under League Players in the right column.
4. The player will see Step 1, line #1: Review the general and experienced player guidelines and self-rate this player. A self-rating describes individual playing level, not the team level. Clicking here will take the player to an adobe file (acrobat reader) entitled: The general experienced player guidelines (supplement to the NTRP Guidelines) are provided here.
5. The player will see: "Player Self-Rate Required". The individual must check in two places (1- player or Captain/Administrator; 2-I state that the answers to the questions that follow will be correct to the best of my ability and understand that I will be held accountable for any information) or will be reminded that they must check in order to advance to continue with self-rate process.
6. The next screen will state: "Player Self-Rate Questionnaire". They will see their name and USTA#. The series of questions will be: 1- have you ever been a national or section (foreign or domestic) ranked player (including Junior), or, 2- played college tennis, or 3-taught tennis professionally, or 4-played professional tennis. They will click yes or no.
7. The player will then be assigned the minimum rating. The system will then prompt the player to 1-select, then save appropriate self-rate above minimum, 2-Appeal self-rate, if you feel other factors may impact your playing level, 3-press the close window button to continue with the Team Registration.

Valid Computer Ratings

Players entering the system for the first time must declare a self-rating when registering for a league team on TennisLink. Established players must rely on their computer-generated ratings as they did under the prior system. Under Dynamic NTRP, however, a computer rating remains valid for five years, unlike the two-year term of the prior system. Players who elect to "sit out" during this period must re-enter the league at the level of their most recent year-end rating. Only after a full five-year absence can a player re-enter the program by self-rating.