1.
What is “Dynamic” NTRP?
“Dynamic” NTRP is an enhanced tennis rating system that
generates player ratings at regular intervals over the course of a season
(unlike the present “static” system that defers all rating calculations to
year-end).
2.
What is different?
Dynamic NTRP allows players to self-rate instead of attending
verification clinics. Disqualifications
will be handled directly by the NTRP program.
3.
How will it work?
Players will register through TennisLink. If
they have a valid computer rating on file in the database it will confirm their
eligibility for the team. If they
have no rating on file the player will be required to declare a self-rating
before completing the registration. After
each match, the captain will enter the scores online in TennisLink. These results will be calculated in the dynamic NTRP computer
program. USTA will monitor the
ratings and inform players if they reach the disqualification level three times
based on all adult and senior matches appearing in the system. Remember, Mixed Doubles does not have NTRP disqualification.
4.
Has the way that the computer program calculates ratings been changed?
The basic mathematical algorithm has not changed. The computer
still looks at your match scores and not
whether you won or lost the match. Significant
procedural changes apply in Dynamic NTRP, however. Where historically, your
final rating was a function exclusively of your results at the highest level of
competition entered, under Dynamic NTRP “final” ratings are based 50% on
your cumulative dynamic rating entering an event and 50% on the traditional
“benchmark” calculation method.
5.
How often are “dynamic” ratings re-calculated? By whom?
TennisLink data will automatically be run through a national NTRP database,
where the necessary calculations will be made. The Sectional Leagues Coordinator
will then use a limited-access feature of TennisLink to obtain report listing
any players who accumulated a “third strike” and therefore are disqualified.
The national NTRP database will run calculations daily.
6.
Is there a difference between an in-season Dynamic Rating and a year-end
Final Rating?
Yes, there are several. First, dynamic ratings are not disclosed
publicly (neither to the player nor any other league player or administrator
below the section level), where final year-end ratings are published annually
and displayed on the Section’s website. Second, dynamic ratings are expressed
to the one-hundredth of a point, where year-end ratings are expressed only to
the one-half point. Finally, dynamic ratings are updated regularly and based on
an average of the previous four dynamic ratings. Year-end ratings are based 50%
on one’s cumulative dynamic rating during the season and 50% on the
traditional benchmark calculation method.
7.
Will my rating now change in mid-year?
Only if you reach the 3rd strike and are disqualified
at your present level. Otherwise you will still receive a year-end rating just as in
the past.
8.
I want to see my rating during the year.
How can I?
You will not be able to view the dynamic NTRP ratings during the
year. These numbers will be used
solely by administration to track play, identify those clearly above level and
to finally assist with year-end benchmarking and ratings.
9.
Does Dynamic NTRP treat doubles partners differently?
Dynamic NTRP maintains whatever rating differential between
doubles partners that existed before a match. For example, if a 3.3 and a 3.5
player are paired together, whatever “spread” between opponents is dictated
by the specific match results, the two partners will have ratings only .2
different from one another after the dynamic calculation is completed.
10.
Does Dynamic NTRP apply to Mixed Doubles League play?
Yes, for players who participate only in the Mixed Doubles
Division. For those who participate in the Adult or Senior Divisions as well,
their Mixed Doubles results will not affect their final rating.
However, the Mixed Doubles regulations prohibit NTRP disqualification.
11.
This system depends on match results being reported promptly to
TennisLink. How will you assure that? What happens if the TennisLink system is
“down”?
Peer pressure will remain the most effective tool in motivating
captains to report local league match results in a timely way.
Several sections will be establishing deadlines for reporting scores that
will count for advancement.
12.
How will corrections to match scores be made?
Team Captains and their players can use TennisLink to review match results in
the time allowed by the section. If
they wish to dispute or correct a score the captain must contact the local
league coordinator.
13.
Why is the validity of a year-end rating being extended to 5 years?
Too many players are electing to “sit out” and then re-enter
the Leagues program at a lower NTRP level, rather than abide by their
results-driven computer rating. Extending the validity period for year-end
ratings should minimize this.
14.
Isn’t it unfair to change the validity period for those players who
will have sat out two years and were expecting to get re-rated in 2003?
National recognizes the basic fairness issues involved. For that
reason, a waiver of Rule 3.01D has been granted nationwide, that requires all
sections to start the 2003 league year by looking back only two years (to 2001
and 2002) for computer ratings. All players with ratings prior to 2001 will be
allowed to self-rate to enter the 2003 league year. One additional year will be
added each Championship year until the 5-year history required by the rule is
available in all sections.
15.
How does a player get back into the system without sitting out for five
years when their last rating moved them to 5.50 or 5.0 in the case of Senior
Division?
USTA NTRP Computer Methodology allows an appeal of a non-benchmark player with a
year old computer rating if it falls within .10 above the NTRP level IF the next
highest approved NTRP level is not available.
Seniors may still participate at the Adult 5.0 level.
NTRP tournament participation is another way and several of the sections
run OPEN Divisions that can also be calculated in the NTRP computer program.
16.
How will I appeal my year-end rating?
The same as in the past. However,
be aware the appeal will only be granted based on missing information, permanent
disabling injury or if the computer rating is less than .05 over the NTRP level
and the request is to move down.
17.
Will there still be verifiers at District/Section/National league
championship events? What is their role there?
There will be a limited number of verifiers at National
championship events. Their focus will be on insuring rating accuracy in
same-partner situations and out-of-contention teams. Whether verifiers will be
assigned to Sectional or District championship events has not yet been
determined. If verifiers do attend, their role will be limited to observing the
Dynamic NTRP process and providing feedback to improve that system. Verifiers
will not gather or report visual ratings, nor will they initiate any
disqualification proceedings.
18.
How do you know that new players will self-rate correctly?
Historically, better than 8 out of 10 new players self-rate
accurately when attending a rating clinic in anticipation of entering the USA
League Tennis presented by Lincoln program. Actual match results will determine
whether a player self-rates too high or too low—with the prospect of player
disqualification if warranted.
19.
What do I do if I think a self-rated player is too good for the level?
Captains may request a “Player Review” by the Leagues
Administrator to examine the challenged player’s match results and resulting
Dynamic Ratings.
20.
How does Dynamic NTRP work in brand-new leagues where there are no (or
very few) computer-rated players?
In new leagues, or leagues with very limited player history,
League Administrators will assign an “initial rating” for players in those
leagues. The precise number is established by national procedures and tends to
be at or near the mid-point for the level of the league.
21.
Can I declare a different self-rating for different League Divisions
(e.g., 3.5 for Adult and 4.0 for Senior)?
No. Once you declare an initial self-rating, you are bound by it for the
calendar year or until you generate a year-end
rating. The only exception to this is in the event of a player disqualification,
where one is immediately bound by the higher, “DQ” rating.
22.
What if I have self-rated and played four matches in the Adult Division
and then sign up for the Senior Division. Will
I use my self-rating or will the system generate a computer rating for me?
The system will have a Dynamic NTRP number on you from your adult
play. But you will continue with
the self-rating you selected until the “year-end computer ratings” are
published. Unless of course, you
are disqualified and you then must immediately move up.
23.
During the transition year, if a player has a current visual rating, must
they abide by the visual?
Yes. The visual as
issued will be placed in the TennisLink system and will be your official
self-rating for the transition year. Self-ratings
are removed at the end of the calendar year.
DISQUALIFICATION
PROCESS
24. Do you expect
more/less “DQ’s” using Dynamic NTRP than historically has been the case?
Historically, NTRP disqualifications have been rare. There is no
reason to believe that will change so long as players are self-rating
accurately.
25.
What is a strike and how do I get one?
Each time a player’s dynamic rating exceeds the maximum
tolerance for the level, he/she automatically earns a “strike.” Three
strikes—considering all matches in the Adult and Senior Divisions from all
sections in the database from Local League up to and including Sectional
Championships— and you’re disqualified.
26.
How high can my dynamic rating go before I earn a “strike”?
The Dynamic NTRP system allows a certain tolerance for player
development—more for lower level players where rapid improvement is more
likely; less for higher-level players. The new Dynamic NTRP system uses the same
criteria for “strikes” that heretofore were used by verifiers. The new
methodology has not changed that standard in any way.
27.
What are the consequences of disqualification?
In all cases, the player is disqualified from participation at
that NTRP level. Each USTA Section will determine which of two methods the
section will follow at the local and the championship level. The effect on Team
Standings may vary, depending on when the DQ occurs:
During local league:
Either the individual match that produced the disqualification and any
subsequent match played by the player OR all previous matches played shall be
considered losses.
During
Championship play:
If the section elects to run the computer ratings following completion of the
championship points earned by the DQ player will stand.
Round
Robin format:
If the section chooses to DQ during the championships any player reaching
the DQ criteria will have all matches reversed to 0-6, 0-6.
Single Elimination format:
If the section chooses to DQ during the championships the last match played
by the player will be reversed to 0-6, 0-6.
28.
Will a player be advised each time that he/she earns a “strike”?
No. Notice occurs only after three strikes are accumulated.
29.
Will I be told exactly which matches earned me “three strikes”?
Yes, with notification of disqualification you will be provided
with a printout of all your matches and the NTRP level generated for each match.
30.
Who is notified in the event of a disqualification? By whom? How quickly?
Responsibility for monitoring dynamic ratings lies with the
Sectional Leagues Coordinator. When a “third strike” situation arises, the
SLC will notify:
(a) the affected player, by telephone, e-mail or voicemail message;
(b) the player’s Team Captain, using the Captain’s e-mail address as
reported on TennisLink; and
(c) the relevant District and Local League Coordinator.
Notification is made within one business day of determination that a
third strike has been received. Hard
copy will be mailed to player’s address as it appears on the team roster.
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