You have been introduced to the game, but have difficulty playing the game due to a lack of consistency rallying and serving.

GROUND STROKES (forehand/backhand): You can get the ball in play but you lack control, resulting in inconsistent rallies. You often choose to hit forehands instead of backhands.    

RETURN OF SERVE You tend to position yourself to protect weaknesses. You have an inconsistent return.        

NET PLAY (volleys and overheads) In singles, you are reluctant to come to the net. In doubles, you understands the basic positioning; but are comfortable only with the forehand volley; avoiding backhand volleys and overheads.    

SERVE Incomplete service motion. Toss is inconsistent. Double faults are common.

GROUND STROKES (forehand/backhand) You 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.    

RETURN OF SERVE In singles, you are inconsistent when returning towards the middle of the court. In doubles, you have difficulty returning cross-court to start the point.          

NET PLAY (volleys and overheads) You become at ease at the net in practice but are uncomfortable in a game situation.       

SERVE: You attempt a full service motion on the first serve. Your first serve in is inconsistent (less than 50%). You use an incomplete motion to ensure a steady second serve.

GROUND STROKES (forehand/backhand) You are able to rally consistently 10 balls in a row on forehands and backhands. You are 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. RETURN OF SERVE  You can control the direction of the ball in both singles and doubles, when receiving a serve of moderate pace.

NET PLAY (volleys and overheads) You are very consistent on forehand volley with easy balls, but inconsistent on the backhand volley. Overall you have difficulty with low and wide balls. You can smash easy lobs.     

SERVE You have full motion on both serves and are able to achieve more than 50% success on first serve. Your second serve is much slower than first serve.

GROUND STROKES (forehand/backhand) You are able to move your opponent around the court or hit harder when receiving easier balls. You can execute approach shots with some consistency (more than 50%).          

RETURN OF SERVE You can return fast serves or well-placed serves with defensive actions. On easy second serves, you can return with pace or directional control. In doubles, you can approach the net.    

NET PLAY (volleys and overheads) You are confident at net play; and can direct forehand volleys; control backhand volleys but with little offense. You have difficulty in putting volleys away. You can handle volleys and overheads that require moderate movement.

SERVE You can vary the speed or direction of first serve. You can direct the second serve to the opponent's weakness without double faulting on a regular basis.

GROUND STROKES (forehand/backhand) You are able to develop points consistently by using a reliable combination of shots. You are erratic when attempting a quality shot, when receiving fast or wide balls, and when attempting passing shots.      

RETURN OF SERVE  You have difficulty in returning spin serves and very fast serves. On moderately paced serves, you can construct the point through hitting a good shot or exploiting an opponent's weakness. In doubles, you can vary returns effectively on moderately paced serves.     

NET PLAY (volleys and overheads) In singles, you are comfortable at following an approach shot to the net. In doubles, you are comfortable receiving a variety of balls and converting to offensive positioning. You can poach on weak returns of serve. You are able to put away easy overheads.        

SERVE You can vary the speed and direction of the first serve. You use spin.

GROUND STROKES (forehand/backhand) You can use a variety of spins. You have started to develop a dominant shot or good steadiness. You are erratic when attempting a quality shot in two of the following situations:  receiving fastballs, wide balls, and in passing shot situations.     

RETURN OF SERVE Off first serves, you can defend consistently but are inconsistent (less then 30%) when attempting an aggressive return. In doubles, you have difficulty (less than 50%) returning a first serve at the feet of the incoming serve and volleyer.       

NET PLAY (volleys and overheads) When coming to the net after serving, you can consistently put the first volley in play but without pace or depth. However, you are inconsistent when trying to volley powerful or angled returns. Close to the net, you can finish a point using various options, including drop volley, angle volley, punch volley.          

SERVE You have an aggressive first serve with power and spin. On second serve you frequently hit with good depth and placement without double faults. You can serve and volley off first serves in doubles, but are not consistent.

GROUND STROKES (forehand/backhand) You can maintain a consistent rally, 10 balls in a row on faster balls. You have steady strokes and a dominant shot. Periodically you succeed (50%) when attempting a quality shot when receiving fast or wide balls, and in passing shot situations.

RETURN OF SERVE Periodically you succeed (50%) at aggressive return off fast first serves using dominant shot (forehand or backhand). In doubles you can return at the feet of a serve and volleyer.          

NET PLAY (volleys and overheads) In doubles, after the serve, you can deliver a good, deep crosscourt volley. Your overhead can be hit from almost any position.

SERVE Your first serve can win points outright, or force a weak return. Your second serve can prevent the opponent from attacking. You can consistently serve and volley on first serves in doubles.

GROUND STROKES (forehand/backhand) You have developed a game style that is recognizable as either an all-court player, an aggressive baseliner, a serve and volleyer, or a retriever.      

RETURN OF SERVE You have developed good anticipation either technically (can read toss on serve, body position) or tactically (can read opponents tendencies in specific situations).  

NET PLAY (volleys and overheads)You have no major weaknesses and can counterattack effectively against a hard ball, wide ball or in passing shot situations. You can compete in "open" category provincial level tournaments.        

SERVE You can use specific shots to exploit opponent weaknesses: drop-shot, lob, angle, moonball.

You do 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 player is a world class professional tennis player.