The National Tennis Rating Program:
General Characteristics of various playing levels

Rating

Forehand

Backhand

Serve

Volley

Special Shots

Playing Style

1.0

This player is just starting to play tennis.

1.5

This player has limited experience and is still working primarily on getting the ball into play.

2.0

Incomplete swing; lacks directional intent.

Avoids backhands; erratic contact; grip problems; incomplete swing.

Incomplete service motion; double faults common; toss is inconsistent.

Reluctant to play net; avoids BH; lacks footwork.

Familiar with basic positions for single and doubles play; frequently out of position

2.5

Form developing; prepared for moderately paced shots.

Grip and preparation problems; often chooses to hit FH instead of BH.

Attempting a full swing; can get the ball in play at a slow pace; inconsistent toss.

Uncomfortable at net especially on the BH side; frequently uses FH racket face on BH volleys.

Can lob intentionally but with little control; can make contact on overheads.

Can sustain a rally of slow pace; weak court coverage; usually remains in the initial doubles position.

3.0

Fairly consistent with some directional intent; lacks depth control.

Frequently prepared; starting to hit with fair consistency on moderate shots.

Developing rhythm; little consistency when trying for power; second serve is often considerably slower than first serve.

Consistent FH volley; inconsistent BH volley; has trouble with low and wide shots.

Can lob consistently on moderate shots.

Consistent on medium paced shots; most common doubles formation is still one-up, one-back; approaches net when play dictates but weak in execution.

3.5

Good consistency and variety on moderate shots; good directional intent.

Hitting with directional intent on moderate shots; has difficulty on  high or hard shots; returns difficult shots defensively.

Starting to serve with control and some power.

More aggressive net play; some ability to cover side shots; uses proper footwork; can direct FH volleys; controls BH volley but with little offense; difficulty in putting volleys away.

Consistent overhead on shots within reach; developing approach shots, drop shots, and half volleys; can place the return of most second serves.

Consistency on moderate shots with directional intent; improved court coverage; starting to look for the opportunity to come to the net; developing teamwork in doubles.

4.0

Dependable; hits with depth and control on moderate shots; may try to hit too good a placement on a difficult shot.

Player can direct the ball with consistency and depth on moderate shots.

Places both first and second serves; frequent power on first serve but tends to overhit first serve; uses spin.

Depth and control on FH volley; can direct BH volleys but usually lacks depth; developing wide and low volleys on both sides of the body.

Can put away easy overheads; can poach in doubles; follows aggressive shots to the net; beginning to finish point off; can hit to opponent's weaknesses; able to lob defensively on difficult shots and offensively  on set ups; dependable return of serve.

Dependable ground strokes with directional intent and depth demonstrated on moderate shots; not yet playing good percentage tennis; teamwork in doubles is evident; rallies may still be lost due to impatience.

4.5

Very dependable; uses speed and spin effectively; controls depth well; tends to overhit on difficult shots; offensive on moderate shots.

Can control direction and depth but may break down under pressure; can hit with power on moderate shots.

Aggressive serving with limited double faults; uses power and spin; developing offense; on second serve frequently hits with good depth and placement.

Can handle a mixed sequence of volleys; good footwork; has depth and directional control on BH; developing touch; most common error is still overhitting.

Approach shots hit with good depth and control; can consistently hit volleys and overheads to end the point; frequently hits aggressive service returns.

More intentional variety in game; is hitting with more pace; covers up weaknesses well; beginning to vary tactics according to opponent; aggressive net play is common in doubles; good anticipation; beginning to handle pace.

5.0

Strong shot with control, depth and spin; uses FH to set up offensive situations; has developed good touch; consistent on passing shots.

Can use BH as an aggressive shot with good consistency; has good direction and depth on most shots; varies spin.

Serve is places effectively with the intent of hitting to a weakness or developing and offensive situation; has a variety of serves to rely on; good depth, spin, and placement on most second serves to force weak return or set up next shot.

Can hit most volleys with depth, pace, and direction; plays difficult volleys with depth; given the opportunity, volley is hit automatically for a winner.

Approach shots and passing shots are hit with pace and a high degree of effectiveness; can lob offensively; overhead can be hit from any position; hits mid-court volley with consistency; can mix aggressive and off-paced service returns.

Frequently has an outstanding shot around which his/her game is built; can vary game plan according to opponent; this player is "match wise," plays percentage tennis, and "beats him/herself" less than the 4.5 player; solid teamwork in doubles is evident.