We completely understand the desire to progress and improve your skills. We're thrilled to see players eager to take their game to the next level. However, we also recognise that each skill level jump can be a significant challenge. That's why we're committed to supporting players of all levels, from beginners to advanced, and helping them grow and improve at their own pace.
Our goal is to create a nurturing environment where everyone can thrive and reach their full potential so we've taken the time to create this helpful resource page to guide you on your journey.
YOU CANNOT IMPROVE IF YOU
CANNOT RETURN BALLS IN A RALLY
Skill Ratings
The USAP skill ratings was used for tournaments around the world. Unfortunately what they put ‘on paper’ is not what occurs on the court. In reality I would be a level 3.25 in a tournament. On paper I am a level 4+. Because of that, we made our own ratings below. If you are entering tournaments DUPR is now the recognised system to assign skill ratings. If you only play one or two tournaments you are automatically rated 3.5.
This Is Our Pickleball Player Skill Ratings
- LEARNING TO PLAY, no previous racquet or paddle skills. Has played a racquet sport in the past but does not know how to play pickleball, does not know the rules, does not know how to serve or score. You may be asked to attend a second or third learn to play session to develop your skills before attaining your rating. You will rsvp for learning to play or Giggle Pickle sessions
- SOCIAL, learning skills of game, softer play, has difficulty serving and receiving , does not come to the NVZ, plays a more non-competitive game, does not attack the ball, very high error rate, does not know the rules, cannot or struggles to understand scoring, does not know where to stand, has attended at least one learn to play session. These players are often confused with the game.
- BEGINNER, developing skills, low to medium strength play with inconsistent results, does not attempt to dink, 75% of serves go in, cannot control serve and serve is often soft not reaching the baseline, sometimes moves to the NVZ line but usually is caught playing back often retreating to the mid court rather than coming to the NVZ line, rarely attacks ball or does with inconsistent results, high error rate, plays a more social game, learning rules and scoring but struggle to understand them. A beginner usually plays once or less times a week, hates drilling and practicing. They prefer not to play skinny singles and cut-throat due to not being able to control the ball.
- ADVANCED BEGINNER, developing skills, medium strength play with inconsistent results, rarely tries to dink but usually unsuccessful, 80% of serves go in, able to return different types of serves, moves to the NVZ line, can attack ball with inconsistent results, high error rate, plays a more competitive game, knows the rules and how to score, knows where to stand without being reminded. They understand the second bounce but sometimes breaks this rule. They prefer the easier banging game which requires less control.
- INTERMEDIATE, strong play, attacks ball with inconsistent results, understands all the elements of the game, plays at the NVZ line, can dink with inconsistent results, attempting the soft drops, prefers to hit hard than to dink, medium/high error rate, expects competitive play, knows the rules, can score correctly and knows where to stand to reflect the score. You understand stacking and switching without confusion.
- INTERMEDIATE POWER, prefers to use power to dominate with little control, attacks ball with inconsistent results, understands all the elements of the game, plays at the NVZ line, rarely dinks and with inconsistent results, rarely attempts soft drops, medium/high error rate, expects competitive play, knows the rules, can score correctly and knows where to stand to reflect the score. You should understand stacking and switching without confusion. This player tends to play 'pickle-tennis'.
- ADVANCED INTERMEDIATE, strong play, attacks ball with consistent results, understands all the elements of the game, plays at the NVZ line, can dink with consistent results in dinking rallies, use tactics effectively, medium error rate, expects competitive play, knows the rules, can score correctly and knows where to stand to reflect the score.
- ADVANCED, can use all the elements of the game consistently, strong play, uses tactics effectively, low error rate, has varied types of serves, expects competitive play, knows the rules and can score correctly and knows where to stand to reflect the score.
Playing with more experience players
Lower skill level players wanting to play with higher skill level players or move to a higher skill level are EXPECTED to:
- Accept they will be given playing advice by their more experienced higher skill level partner and not to ignore this advice
- Not refuse to play at the non volley zone line
- Not stand mid court or the baseline for rallies
- Take the time to read the basic rules and know these rules
- Know how to score
- Stop avoiding hitting backhand shots or not swap hands to hit the ball frequently
- Realise they will get hit by the ball and it will hurt
- Understand that they will be playing a very challenging game and not expect allowances due to their lack of abilities, or medical conditions
Higher skilled players should always inform the lower skilled partner they may give playing advice AND lower skilled players should take advantage of playing with higher skilled players and use this time to learn and improve their own game. If a lower skill level player prefers not to receive on court ‘coaching’ then it is best that they play always on the social court and not the competitive court.
Competitive Play
Assigning player skill ratings is crucial for competitive pickleball round robins and tournaments, ensuring players are matched with others of similar abilities. While not all players may agree with their assigned rating, we follow a strict criteria to determine skill level placement.
While we understand the desire to play with more skilled players to improve one's game, we must prioritise fair and competitive matches. Lower-skilled players who play infrequently (once a week or less) may not be ready to compete with higher-skilled players, as they may struggle to return serves and sustain rallies.
By considering these factors, we aim to create a balanced and enjoyable experience for all players, while also providing opportunities for growth and improvement.
YOU CANNOT IMPROVE IF YOU
CONTINUALLY CANNOT RETURN SERVES
OR MULTIPLE BALLS IN A RALLY
So how can you improve to move up a level?
- Practice, practice, practice. Playing games is the slow way to improve. During a session ask if anyone else wants to work on a few drills rather than just games.
- Do you practice serving? Are you serving deep or just getting it over the kitchen line? If you have a bye and there is a free court, ask for some balls and practice your serve.
- Do you use the warm up time to practice dinks, smashes, serves, backhand returns or do you play games?
- Can you return an advanced player’s serve? Do you know what you need to do to get the serve back effectively?
- Are you a baseline hugger or are you coming to the kitchen line ready to play the fast paced level? Work on receiving and running in.
- Are you afraid to stand at the kitchen? If the answer is yes, then you certainly are not ready to move to advanced beginners or higher. None of us like getting hurt, it is just part of the game of being in the way of the ball and being hit.
- Do you ever dink in a game? You need to do this as an intermediate or higher player.
- Do you set yourself a challenge every time you play?
Examples: getting feet correct for backhand returns, dinking more, communicating with your partner ‘you’ or ‘me’, not rushing your shots. - DO NOT count your wins, but count your own on court achievements, even if you do not win your game. Often your win is because your more advanced partner 'carried' you.
There is the criteria to be eligible to play in the intermediate session:
- You need to be a minimum of a strong advanced beginner
- You receive and run in consistently
- You understand why you need to stay back as the serving side
- You understand the second bounce rule and NEVER hit the ball on the full
- More serves go in than go out
- You have the ability to attack balls
- You attempt to communicate with your partner
- If an advanced beginner, you have played at least 4 times with us
- You know how to keep score and where to stand for the serve without being told/reminded by your partner
- As an advanced beginner, you will accept constructive advice from your ‘more experienced’ partner and act on this advice
- Finally, you own your own paddle
How to move to the next skill level?
- Play more than once a week
- During warm up sessions, do not play games, practice
- Make sure you attend ‘learn to play better’ sessions when they are offered
- Self improvement – watch coaching videos on YouTube, work on muscle memory at home by hitting a ball up against a wall, throwing a ball underarm to help improve your serve
- Ask to be assessed if you believe you are ready to move to the next skill level. Moving up is NOT a decision made by the player, it is made by a session organiser who has identified skill improvement to moving up. Being the best in your group does not always warrant moving up
Helpful Videos
This is what is expected to do when playing intermediate level
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
How to improve your volley serve
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
Serving legally
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
Improve your backhand
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
Drive or drop
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
Better groundstrokes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
How to hit an overhead
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
Block a banger
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
How to hit a 3rd shot drop
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
Improve your dinking
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
Two handed backhand dink
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
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