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RATING
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PRACTICE RATIO
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1.0
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This player is just starting to play tennis
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Recommended practice-to-play-ratio is a minimum of 10 hours of practice for
every 1 hour of game time.
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1.5
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This player has been introduced to the game, however has difficulty playing the
game due to a lack of consistency rallying and serving.
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Recommended practice-to-play-ratio is 10 hours of practice for every 1 hour of
game time.
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GROUND-STROKES
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RETURN OF SERVE
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NET PLAY
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SERVE
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PRACTICE RATIO
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2.0
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Can get the ball in play but lacks control, resulting in inconsistent rallies.
Often chooses to hit forehands instead of backhands.
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Tends to position in a manner to protect weaknesses. Inconsistent return.
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In singles, reluctant to come to the net. In doubles, understands the basic
positioning; comfortable only with the forehand volley; avoids backhand volley
and overhead.
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Incomplete service motion. Toss is inconsistent. Double faults are common.
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Recommended practice-to-play-ratio is 8 hours of practice for every 1 hour of
game time.
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2.5
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Can rally
consistently 10 balls in a row, especially on the forehand, with an arched
trajectory over the net when the objective is to hit to a partner at moderate
speed.
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In
singles, consistent when returning towards the middle of the court. In
doubles, difficulty returning cross-court to start the point.
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Becoming
at ease at the net in practice but uncomfortable in a game situation.
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Attempting
a full service motion on the first serve. First serve in inconsistent (less
than 50%). Uses an incomplete motion to ensure a steady second serve.
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Recommended practice-to-play-ratio is 7 hours of practice for every 1 hour of
game time.
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3.0
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Able to
rally consistently 10 balls in a row on forehands and backhands. Able to
maintain the rally when receiving high, short or wide balls, assuming the
ball is received at a moderate pace, especially on the forehand stroke.
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Can
control the direction of the ball in both singles and doubles, when receiving
a serve of moderate pace.
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Very
consistent on forehand volley with easy balls, inconsistent on backhand
volley. Overall has difficulty with low and wide balls. Can smash easy lobs.
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Full
motion on both serves. Able to achieve more than 50% success on first serve.
Second serve much slower than first serve.
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Recommended practice-to-play-ratio is 6 hours of practice for every 1 hour of
game time.
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3.5
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Able to
move the opponent around the court or hit harder when receiving easier balls.
Can execute approach shots with some consistency (more than 50%).
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Can return
fast serves or well-placed serves with defensive actions. On easy second serve,
can return with pace or directional control; can approach the net in doubles.
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Becoming
confident at net play; can direct FH volleys; controls BH volley but with
little offense; general difficulty in putting volleys away. Can handle
volleys and overheads that require moderate movement.
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Can vary
the speed or direction of first serve. Can direct the second serve to the
opponent's weakness without double-faulting on a regular basis.
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Recommended practice-to-play-ratio is 5 hours of practice for every 1 hour of
game time.
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4.0
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Able to
develop points with some consistency by using a reliable combination of
shots. Erratic when attempting a quality shot, when receiving fast or wide
balls, and when attempting passing shots.
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Difficulty
in returning spin serves and very fast serves. On moderately paced serves,
can construct the point through hitting a good shot or exploiting an
opponent's weakness. In doubles, can vary returns effectively on
moderately-paced serves.
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In
singles, comfortable at following an approach shot to the net. In doubles,
comfortable receiving a variety of balls and converting to offensive
positioning; can poach on weak returns of serve. Able to put away easy
overheads.
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Can vary
the speed and direction of the first serve. Uses spin.
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Recommended practice-to-play-ratio is 4 hours of practice for every 1 hour of
game time.
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4.5
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Can use a
variety of spins. Beginning to develop a dominant shot or good steadiness.
Erratic when attempting a quality shot in two of the following situations:
receiving fast balls, wide balls, and in passing shot situations.
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Off first
serves, can defend consistently but very inconsistent (less then 30%) when
attempting an aggressive return. In doubles, has difficulty (less than 50%)
returning a first serve at the feet of the incoming serve and volleyer.
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When
coming to the net after serving, consistently able to put the first volley in
play but without pace or depth; however, inconsistent when trying to volley
powerful or angled returns. Close to the net, can finish a point using
various options including drop volley, angle volley, punch volley.
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Aggressive
first serve with power and spin. On second serve frequently hits with good
depth and placement without double faults. Can serve and volley off first
serves in doubles, but experiences some inconsistency.
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Recommended practice-to-play-ratio is 3 hours of practice for every 1 hour of
game time.
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5.0
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Able to
maintain a consistent rally, 10 balls in a row on faster balls. Very steady
strokes or has a dominant shot. Periodically succeeds (50%) when attempting a
quality shot when receiving fast or wide balls, and in passing shot
situations.
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Periodically
succeeds (50%) at aggressive return off fast first serves using dominant shot
(forehand or backhand). In doubles can return at the feet of serve and
volleyer.
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In
doubles, after the serve, has a good, deep crosscourt volley. Overhead can be
hit from almost any position.
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First
serve can win points outright, or force a weak return. Second serve can
prevent the opponent from attacking. Serve and volleys on first serves in
doubles with consistency.
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Recommended practice-to-play-ratio is 2 hours of practice for every 1 hour of
game time.
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5.5
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This
player has developed a gamestyle which is recognizable as either an all court
player, an aggressive baseliner, a serve and volleyer, or a retriever. Has
developed good anticipation either technically (can read toss on serve, body
position…) or tactically (can read opponents tendencies in specific
situations). Has no major weaknesses and can counterattack effectively
against a hard ball, wide ball or in passing shot situations. Capable of
competing in "open" category provincial level tournaments. Ability
to use specific shots in order to exploit opponent's weakness: drop-shot,
lob, angle, moonball…
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Recommended practice-to-play-ratio is 2 hours of practice for every 1 hour of
game time.
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6.0-7.0
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These
players will generally not need a rating. Rankings or past rankings will
speak for themselves. The 6.0 player typically has had intensive training for
national tournament competition at the junior level and collegiate levels and
has obtained a provincial and/or national "open" ranking. The 6.5
player has extensive international "open" level tournament
experience at the entry professional level (challenger or satellite
experience). The 7.0 is a world class professional tennis player.
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Recommended practice-to-play-ratio is 2 hours of practice for every 1 hour of
game time.
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