USAPA RATING DEFINITIONS

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The Club will institute a rating system, in place of self-rating once membership reaches a critical mass.  

Rating 1.0

• New player without understanding of the game and rules

Rating 1.5

• Can hit the ball back and forth a bit
• Learning to serve
• Fails to hit easy balls frequently
• Beginning to learn the basic rules such as scoring, lines, side outs, etc.

Rating 2.0

• Sustains short rallies
• Makes basic strokes such as forehand, backhand, volley, and can serve the ball
• Understands court positioning and doubles rules

Rating 2.5

• Can sustain longer rallies but not a fast pace
• Makes most easy shots including backhands, but still needs some work
• Able to approach the non-volley zone and hit volleys
• Aware of dinks 
• Good understanding of the rules
• Struggles to cover the entire court

Rating 3.0

• Has a consistent serve and returns medium-paced balls reliably
• Able to make all basic strokes. Lacks control when trying to place the ball
• Attempts lobs and dinks with limited success

Rating 3.5

• Consistent control and placement of medium-paced shots. Able to return fast-paced      shots with slightly less success
• Improved control and placement of the ball
• Needs more shot variety
• Generally attempting to use a third shot drop to get to the NVL
• Can play aggressively at the non-volley zone
• Anticipates opponent’s shots
• Learning the strategy of doubles play

Rating 4.0

• Consistent both forehand and backhand strokes
• Can use spin with some success
• Can occasionally force errors when serving
• May lose rallies due to impatience
• Uses the dink and drop shot successfully
• Demonstrates 3rd shot strategies
• Aggressive net play in doubles
• Full understanding of the rules

Rating 4.5

• Beginning  to master placement and spin
• Beginning  to master 3rd shot choices
• Good footwork and positioning
• Adjusts game style to account for opponent’s strengths/weaknesses and court      position
• Good shot selection. Does not force shots
• Serves consistently and can vary speed and spin
• Good court positioning. Anticipates opponent’s shot

Rating 5.0

• Mastered all shot types
• Excellent shot anticipation
• Accurate shot placement
• Forces errors. Limits their own unforced errors
• Mastered dinks and drop shots
• Mastered 3rd shot strategy
• Mastered different strategies and can vary play style
• Raw athletic ability is often what separates 5.0 players from the rest