SKILL EXPECTATIONS FOR EACH LEVEL OF PLAY

If you have never been rated in a tournament and/or you don't know your rating level, you are below a 4.0 level!

Note: Above the 2.0 level, all levels should be able to demonstrate most of the skills for their level plus most of the skills from preceding levels. Thus a 2.5 level player, for example, demonstrates most skills in the 2.5 level list as well as most skills in the 2.0 level list, and so on.

As players self-determine their rating, keep in mind that you are welcome to use .25 and .75 rating numbers also. For instance, if you feel that you are better than a 2.5 but not quite to the 3.0 level, you can rate yourself as a 2.75.

2.0 Skill Level

• Has taken a beginner’s class (or demonstrates equivalent knowledge)
• Moves around court in balanced, safe manner
• Gets some serves “in”, perhaps not regularly
• Realizes aspects of score-keeping, rules and where to stand on court during serve, receipt of serve, and general play
• Has some basic stroke skills

2.5 Skill Level

• Knows two-bounce rule and demonstrates it most times
• Knows where to stand on the court during serve, receipt of serve and general play
• Able to keep score.
• Is able to hit at least 50% of serves “in”.
• Is able to hit at least 50% of forehand returns.
• Is able to hit at least 50% of backhand returns.
• Is able to hit at least 50% of forehand volleys.
• Is able to hit at least 50% of backhand volleys.

3.0 Skill level. Also possesses all 2.5 Skills

• Knows the rules and can keep score.
• Aware of partner’s position on the court & moving as a team
• Aware of hitting a drop shot and moving quickly towards the non-volley zone.
• Is able to sustain a dinking rally in the game.
• Is able to hit at least 70% of serves “in”.
• Is able to hit at least 70% of forehand returns.
• Is able to hit at least 70% of backhand returns.
• Is able to hit at least 70% of forehand volleys.
• Is able to hit at least 70% of backhand volleys.

3.5 Skill level Also possesses all 3.0 Skills

• Demonstrates strategies of playing during games
• Actively works with partners in communicating, covering court, moving to net
• With varying consistency executes: forehand/backhand ground strokes, overheads, net volleys, and sustained dinking
• Specifically places shots rather than just hitting shots anywhere
• Selective mixing up soft shots with power shots to create an advantage
• Is able to hit at least 50% of drop shots successfully.
• Is able to hit at least 80% of serves “in”.
• Is able to hit at least 80% of forehand returns.
• Is able to hit at least 80% of backhand returns.
• Is able to hit at least 80% of forehand volleys.
• Is able to hit at least 80% of backhand volleys.

4.0 Skill Level. Also possesses all 3.5 Skills.

• Players at or above 4.0 will generally have earned their rating through tournament play.
• Primarily plays in an offensive mode rather than reactively
• Controls and places serve and return of serve to best advantage
• Puts advanced playing strategy into the game, particularly in dinking
• Consistently varies shots for competitive advantage, uses power shots selectively
• Communicates and moves well with partner — easily “switches” court positions
• Very comfortable playing at the non-volley zone. Works with partner to control the line, keeping opponents back and driving them off the line.
• Can block hard volleys directed at them
• Has good footwork and moves laterally, backward and forward with ease.
• Hits overhead shots consistently, often as put-aways
• Ability to change a hard shot to a soft shot
• Consistently executes effective drop shots that are not easily returned for advantage
• Can effectively poach
• Hits a low # of unforced errors per game
• Regularly demonstrates “anticipation of play”
• Self-correcting during play
• Consistently is a multi-dimensional player and/or is exceptionally dominant in a limited playing repertoire.
• Is able to hit at least 70% of drop shots successfully.
• Is able to hit at least 90% of serves “in”.
• Is able to hit at least 90% of forehand returns.
• Is able to hit at least 90% of backhand returns.
• Is able to hit at least 90% of forehand volleys.
• Is able to hit at least 90% of backhand volleys.

Other Skill Rating Definitions and Assessments

USAPA Player Skill Rating Definitions – one page summary of all skill levels

USAPA Player Skill Rating Sheets in pdf for each skill level

International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association (IPTPA) – Rating Skills Assessment