Unsure of your Pickleball Level?

Here are some steps you can take to determine your level of play!

How do You Determine your skill Level Pickleball Rating

Here are four recommendations for determining your Pickleball Rating and Skill Level. Contact us for more information on how to improve your skill and rating.

DUPR

Dreamland Universal Pickleball Ratings

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UTR-P

Universal Tennis and Pickleball Rating

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IPTPA

International Pickleball Teaching Professional

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Self-Rating

Pickleball Player Self Evaluation. 1.0 to 4.0

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Create a DUPR Account

Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating is the most accurate and only global rating system in Pickleball. All players, regardless of their age, gender, location, or skill, are rated on the same scale between 2.0-8.0 based on their match results.

DUPR is free and anyone can have a rating. One match result is all it takes to have a DUPR rating, and 5-10 match results is all it takes to have an even more accurate rating. If you’ve ever played in a Pickleball tournament you most likely already have a DUPR rating and can claim your account at mydupr.com or by downloading the iOS or Android app.

Please note, you must play against individuals who have a DUPR rating.

If you plan on improving your game, playing in tournaments, and going to the next level, you need a DUPR rating.

Performance

If you win, your rating will go up. If you lose, your rating will go down. Winning by a large margin increases your rating more than a tight match. Winning against players rated at or above your level increases your rating more than winning against players rated below you.

Frequency of Play

Players with more matches will see less fluctuation in their ratings compared to those with fewer matches. Recent matches impact your rating more than older matches.

Type of Competition

Different types of matches count more towards your rating. For example, recreational matches have less of an impact on your rating, while DUPR club matches, and director uploaded tournaments have more of an impact.

How does the Doubles rating work?

DUPR uses individual player ratings to calculate a team rating—the average of each player’s DUPR. This is then used to determine the win probability for each team.
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• Underdog Wins? Big Gains. If your team wins against the odds, your rating increases more.
• Expected Wins? Steady Growth. Winning as the favorite means smaller gains.
• Each player’s rating adjustment depends on the number of matches they’ve played and how recent those matches are.
• Play regularly to keep your rating dynamic and reflective of your current skill!

Create a UTR-P Account

As of April 17, 2024, USA Pickleball announced a partnership with UTR Sports as its technology, software, ratings/rankings partner for the National Governing Body’s tournaments, leagues, and recreational activities.

UTR-P is for players of all ages and levels, from beginners to pros. Players with match results receive a rating on a numerical scale of 1 to 10.0, while those without enough match results get a provisional rating (P1-P5) based on questionnaire responses.

Sign up for your account at Pickleball Ratings | How UTR-P Works (utrsports.net). After answering a few basic questions, you'll be given your provisional rating.

Players With Match Results Will Have a Numeric Rating

1.0 - Beginner
2.0 - Social/Casual
3.0 - Intermediate
4.0 to 4.9 - Advanced
5.0 to 10.0 - Expert/Professional

Players Without Match Results Will Have a Provisional Rating

P1 - Beginner
P2 - Social/Casual
P3 - Intermediate
P4 - Advanced
P5 - Expert/Professional

Certified Rating Specialist

The IPTPA Skill Level Rating System is used worldwide by IPTPA Certified Teaching Professionals and Rating Specialists to objectively test and develop the skills and performance of players. An IPTPA skill-level rating is a straightforward, reliable, and bias free measure of skill that is different from other ranking systems.

To find an IPTPA Certified Rating Specialist in your area, visit this link, Certified Members – IPTPA Pickle Ball Association, and look for those with the "CRS = Certified Rating Specialist" classification by their name.

Self-Rating

Pickleball players may "Self-Rate" themselves. Self-ratings are two digits (for instance, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, etc.). Whether you play in pickleball tournaments or a USA Pickleball member or not, you can have a two-digit self-rating.

As long as you’re honest with yourself – as in don’t give yourself too much credit or be too modest – you can come up with a fairly accurate rating.

Caution, overrating yourself can cause embarrassment!

To help determine your pickleball skill level, use the self-rating system below. Starting from the top, click the "+" sign on the right to read more about each Skill Rating. Find the one that best describes you.

1.0 to 2.0 Skill Level

2.5 Skill Level

3.0 Skill Level

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. Is learning proper court positioning. Knows the fundamental rules and can keep score and is now playing tournaments.

3.5 Skill Level

FOREHAND:
Improved stroke development with 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, with limited ability to control height/depth. Sustains medium length rallies. Starting to understand variations of 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 quickly towards the non-volley zone (NVZ) when opportunity is there. Acknowledges difference between hard game and soft game and is starting to vary own game during recreation and tournament play. Can sustain short rallies. Is learning proper court positioning. Basic knowledge of stacking and understands situations where it can be effective.

4.0 Skill Level

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 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. Is developing consistency and control. Starting to understand the block/re-set volley.

STRATEGY:
Aware of 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 opponents' weaknesses and attempts to formulate game plan to attack weaknesses. Beginning to seek out more competitive play.

4.5 Skill Level

FOREHAND:
High level of consistency. Uses pace and depth to generate opponents' error or set up next shot.

BACKHAND:
Can effectively direct the ball with varying depth and paces with good consistency.

SERVE / RETURN:
Serves with power, accuracy, and depth and can also vary the speed and spin of the serve.

DINK:
Ability to place ball with high success at changing shot types while playing both consistently and with offensive intent. Recognizes and attempts to hit attackable dinks.

3RD SHOT:
Consistently executes effective 3rd shot strategies that are not easily returned for advantage. Able to intentionally and consistently place the ball.

VOLLEY:
Able to block hard volleys directed at them and can consistently drop them into the NVZ. Comfortable hitting swinging volleys. Hits overhead shots consistently, often as putaways.

STRATEGY:
Has good footwork and moves laterally, backward, and forward well. Uses weight transfer for more efficient footwork. Able to change direction with ease. Very comfortable playing at the non-volley zone. Communicates and moves well with partner — easily “stacks" court positions. Understands strategy and can adjust style of play and game plan according to the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses and court position. Limited number of unforced errors.

5.0 Skill Level

FOREHAND | BACKHAND | SERVE / RETURN:
Hits all shot types at a high level of ability from both the forehand and backhand sides including: touch, spin, and pace with control to set up offensive situations. Has developed good touch from all court positions. Has developed a very high level of variety, depth, and pace of serves.

DINK:
Mastered the dink and drop shots. Ability to move opponents with shot placements. Exhibits patience during rallies with the ability to create an opportunity to attack utilizing the dink. Increased ability to change the pace of dinks strategically.

3RD SHOT:
Mastered the 3rd shot choices and strategies to create opportunities for winning points. Able to drop and drive ball from both the forehand and backhand side with high level of consistency.

VOLLEY:
Able to block hard volleys directed at them and consistently drop them into the NVZ. Places overheads with ease for winners. Able to volley shots toward opponents feet consistently. Comfortable with swinging volley in both initiating and ability to attack back or neutralize return.

STRATEGY:
Mastered pickleball strategies and can vary strategies and styles of play in competitive or tournament matches. Is successful at turning defensive shots into offensive shots. Has efficient footwork and effective use of weight transfer for improved quickness on the court. Easily and quickly adjusts style of play and game plan according to the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses and court position. Rarely makes unforced errors.

5.5 and above Skill Level

Still Unsure?

Need help or having questions about the best method to determine your skill level? Contact us and we can help you.