Levels

You are a 2.0 PLAYER if you:

Have successfully completed the beginner instruction course offered by the club or demonstrated equivalent knowledge/physical ability to move to this level
Are still learning the rules of Pickleball
Are able to sustain a short rally with players of equal ability
Your serves and returns are improving but still a work in progress
Are demonstrating use of the basic shot strokes (forehand, backhand, volley and serve) but have training needs in these areas
Are familiar with the basic court positioning in doubles play
Are demonstrating the ability to move safely around the court

You are a 2.5 PLAYER if you:

Are still in the learning stage but improving on knowing the rules of Pickleball
Can generally keep score accurately
Are demonstrating improving skills in serves and service returns
Are working to improve the accuracy of your ground strokes
Can make most easy volleys and some backhands but need additional work on developing all shot strokes
Are aware of the “soft game” and working to improve dinking skills
Are learning to approach the non-volley zone and attempt volley shots
Are learning the importance of court coverage and communicating with their partner
Are striving to extend rallies by keeping the ball in play and avoiding unforced errors

You are a 3.0 PLAYER if you:

Know the fundamental rules and can keep score accurately
Are developing the skills to keep serves and returns in and deep in the court
Are developing dinking skills and able to sustain the dinking game
Are demonstrating improved skills with all of the basic shot strokes and placement but still lack consistent control when trying for direction, depth and/or power
Can use both the forehand and backhand on returns and ground strokes
Are moving to the non-volley zone after the return of serve
Are aware of your partner’s position on the court and the importance of communication
Are developing skills in the areas of overheads, volleys and hitting the ball harder and lower
Are showing improvement in reducing the number of unforced errors.

You are a 3.5 Player if you:

Demonstrate a good knowledge on the rules of the game
Are able to keep most serves and returns in and deep in the court
Can control the direction, depth, and pace on most of your shots
Can hit all basic shots (i.e. forehands, backhands, lobs, overheads, and volleys) with a varying degree of consistency
Are learning the importance of strategy, tactics and teamwork in doubles play
Communicate well with your doubles partner
Are beginning to use third shot drop shots from ¾ court and the baseline
Have developed a consistent dink game
Are learning when to use soft shots and power shots to full advantage
Moving up to non-volley zone and demonstrating aggressive play at the net
Are learning to anticipate the direction of opponent’ shots
Are demonstrating the ability to play in an offensive rather defensive mode
Are able to maintain a moderate number of unforced errors

You are a 4.0 PLAYER if you:

Have consistent dependable strokes including directional control and depth on both forehand and backhand shots
Are generally able to control and accurately place both serves and return of serves
Have reliable lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys and can use spin shots with some success
Are striving to change from a soft shot strategy to a hard shot strategy or vice versa during rallies
Consistently use third shot strategies including drop shots, lobs and fast-paced ground strokes to slow down or change the pace of the game
Possess the ability to use a variety of shots to full advantage
Play the net aggressively and your teamwork in doubles is evident
Are developing excellent footwork to move well forward, backward and laterally
Communicate and move well with your partner
Can sustain a reliable dink game and generally make put away shots
Are able to poach effectively
Recognize and exploit opponents’ weaknesses
Play in an offensive mode rather than defensively or reactively
Hit a low number of unforced errors

LEVEL INFORMATION