Special Olympics Tennis Rating System
The Special Olympics Tennis Rating System is a systematic method to determine the skill ability of an athlete. The system is designed to assist coaches in determining an athlete's ability level in tennis before they begin participation. The rating is also used in preliminary divisioning of athletes for competition. Coaches will find the rating system a useful tool for several reasons:
- Helps the coach and athlete determine in which events he/she will compete.
- Establishes the baseline training areas of the athlete.
- Assists coaches in grouping athletes of similar ability into training teams.
- Measures the athlete's progression.
- Helps determine the athlete's daily training schedule.
Before administering the rating system, coaches need to perform the following analysis while observing the athlete:
- Become familiar with each of the tennis skills.
- Have an accurate visual picture of each skill.
- Have previously observed a skilled performer executing the skill.
In preparing for Special Olympics tennis competitions, it is recommended that the coach complete the Special Olympics Tennis Rating System Sheet and submit it to the Tournament Committee with registration materials. The Tournament Committee should then conduct a separate on-court rating during a preliminary divisioning round. The Special Olympics Tennis Rating System is modeled after the USTA National Tennis Rating Program. It is a subjective evaluation and it is recommended that raters be familiar with the USTA National Tennis Rating Program or other systems of evaluating tennis playing ability. To use the Special Olympics Tennis Rating System, the rater should observe the athlete during simulated play situations. This could involve:
- Athletes hitting with raters, or
- Athletes playing mini-matches with other athletes, or
- Athletes practicing with other athletes.
When administering the Special Olympics Tennis Rating System, coaches should strive to observe the best performance by the athlete. Always begin by explaining the skill you would like to observe and demonstrate the skill when possible.
The Special Olympics Tennis Rating System categorizes playing ability into eight levels. Athlete skill is rated on seven basic tennis skills: forehand, backhand, movement, first serve, second serve, return of serve and volleys. The rater should observe the athlete and indicate playing ability by rating the athlete from one to eight on each of the basic skills. The rating form task analyzes each basic skill into levels of ability. A total score is determined for all seven skills and an average rating calculated (for example, 2.5 or 3.8). The overall rating is then used to division the athlete with other athletes of equal playing ability.
Click on the icon below to open the Special Olympics Tennis Rating System Sheet in Word.
