How to get a Pickleball rating?
This player has limited experience. Can sustain a short rally with players of equal ability. Basic ability to keep score.
FOREHAND: Ability to hit a medium-paced shot. Lacks directional intent and consistency.
BACKHAND: Avoids using a backhand. Lacks directional intent and consistency.
SERVE / RETURN: Able to hit a medium-paced shot. Lacks depth, direction, and consistency.
DINK: Not able to consistently sustain a dink rally. Not yet developed the ability to control this shot.
3RD SHOT: Generally hits a medium-paced ball with little direction.
VOLLEY: Able to hit a medium-paced shot. Lacks direction/inconsistent.
STRATEGY: Understands fundamentals. Learning proper court positioning. Knows the fundamental rules, and can keep score.
3.5 Skill Rating – INTERMEDIATE
FOREHAND: Improved stroke development with a moderate level of shot control.
BACKHAND: Learning stroke form and starting to develop consistency but will avoid if possible.
SERVE / RETURN: Consistently gets serve/return in play with limited ability to control depth.
DINK: Increased consistency, limited ability to control height/depth. Sustains medium-length rallies. Starting to understand pace.
3RD SHOT: Developing the drop shot in a way to get to the net.
VOLLEY: Is able to volley medium-paced shots thereby developing control.
STRATEGY: Moves towards the non-volley zone when an opportunity is there. Acknowledges the difference between hard/soft game, and is starting to vary own game. Can sustain short rallies. Learning proper court positioning. Basic knowledge of stacking and understands situations where it can be effective.
4.0 Skill Rating – ADVANCED INTERMEDIATE
FOREHAND: Consistently hits with depth and control. Is still perfecting shot selection and timing.
BACKHAND: Has improved stroke mechanics and has moderate success at hitting a backhand consistently.
SERVE / RETURN: Places a high majority of serves/returns with varying depth and speed.
DINK: Increased consistency with moderate ability to control height/depth. May end dink rally too soon due to lack of patience. Is beginning to understand the difference between attackable balls and those that are not.
3RD SHOT: Selectively mixing up soft shots with power shots to create an advantage with inconsistent results.
VOLLEY: Able to volley a variety of shots at different speeds. Developing consistency/ control. Starting to understand the block/reset volley.
STRATEGY: Aware of your partner’s position on the court and is able to move as a team. Demonstrates ability to change direction in an offensive manner. Demonstrates a broad knowledge of the rules of the game. Has a moderate number of unforced errors per game. Solid understanding of stacking and when and how it could be used in match play. Beginning to identify opponent’s weaknesses and attempt to formulate a game plan to attack weaknesses.