Find your skill level

Using this guide

Assessing an individual's Pickleball playing abilities is not an exact science and can sometimes feel as though it changes on a daily basis. But the checklist below sets out to give those who are interested a benchmark by which to understand their individual skill level.

The club will not be using these guides to assess players and is only for use by way of self assessment.

We all play for different reasons. For some it is about a bit of exercise, fun and a social connection with fellow players and for others it might be about a competitive, challenging experience. We have sessions to meet both these expectations and for some understanding which sessions (and club tournaments) are most suitable to their abilities can be a little confusing. Hopefully the checklist will go some way to matching your skills and competitive ambition to the sessions available. Some sessions may already be oversubscribed, but on occasion gaps do occur during quieter times of the year and if appropriate you might ask for an invite to an under-subscribed session.

Inevitably, using the checklist will give you a described ‘level’ and that is all it is. For some you may not progress beyond the skill level of a ‘beginner plus’ and that is perfectly fine and you can continue to enjoy the game with players at a similar level. For others who aspire to improve their skill level, with a view to playing in tougher environments, against better players and in external tournaments the checklist provides an idea of what you may need to work on to meet your ambition.

Group 1 · Beginner & beginner plus

Beginner- where we all start!

• Moves around the court in a balanced, safe manner.
• Gets some serves “in”, maybe not regularly.
• Realises aspects of score-keeping, rules and where to stand on court during serve, receipt of serve and general play.
• Has some basic stroke skills.

DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) 2.0

Beginner Plus- understanding the basics

• Is able to serve “in” regularly.
• Knows the two-bounce rule and demonstrates it most times.
• Knows where to stand on the court during serve, receipt of serve and general play.
• Is mastering keeping score.
• Attempts to dink but not always effective at it.
• Is working on their form for ground strokes but accuracy is variable.
• Can keep the ball in play longer.

DUPR 2.0 -2.5

Group 2 · Improver

Improver -understands the principles- still working on consistency.

• Knows the fundamental rules and can keep score.
• Regularly gets serves “in” to mid-court or deeper.
• Can use both forehand and backhand on returns and forehands on overheads.
• Moves quickly towards the non-volley zone at the appropriate time (when the opportunity arises eg after the return of serve.
• Is aware of the tactic of the “drop shot ” and the ‘reset’ from midcourt, and tries to use it to allow to approach the kitchen (usually when your or your partner is serving)
• Is able to sustain short dinking rallies in the game.
• Tries not to pop the ball up when dinking at the kitchen line.
• Is working at keeping the serve deep and the return of serve deep.
• Is becoming aware of a partner's position on the court & the benefit of moving as a team.
• Is developing more power and/or softness in their shots.
• Is working at broadening their playing repertoire.
• Is not lobbing the opponent on every or the majority of shots.

DUPR 2.5 – 3.0

Group 3 · Improver plus

Improver Plus -is becoming more consistent in all areas.

• Demonstrates a broad knowledge of the rules of the game.
• Gets a high majority of serves in deep & returns serve deep.
• Will play an appropriate shot rather than just playing their favourite or preferred shot (eg not driving every shot).
• Demonstrates strategies of playing during games.
• Actively works with partners in communicating, covering court and moving to the net.
• With varying consistency executes: forehand/backhand ground strokes, overheads, net volleys and sustained dinking. Selectively uses lobs, but only when appropriate.
• Regularly uses drop shots and resets to get to the net.
• Specifically places shots rather than just hitting shots anywhere.
• Is selectively mixing up soft shots with power shots to create an advantage.
• Hits fewer balls out of bounds or in the net.
• Has a moderate amount of unforced errors per game.
• Demonstrates ability to intentionally play in offensive mode.
• Has awareness when/if they make mistakes and why.
• Demonstrates extended periods of multi-dimensional play.

DUPR 3.0 – 3.5

Group 4 · Intermediate & advanced

Intermediate- has a good understanding of game strategy and is much more consistent with good movement on court.

• Plays in an offensive mode with control, rather than reactively.
• Controls and places serves and the return of serves to best advantage.
• Puts advanced playing strategy into the game, particularly moving to the NVZ and using the dink strategically (including use of spin on the dink).
• Consistently varies shots for competitive advantage, uses power shots selectively.
• Communicates and moves well with a partner — easily “switches” court positions.
• Is very comfortable playing at the non-volley zone. Works with a 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 putting them away.
• Consistently executes effective drop shots that bounce below net level and so are not easily returned for advantage.
• Can effectively poach (intercept a ball that would be expected to be played by a partner).
• Hits a low percentage of unforced errors per game.
• Regularly demonstrates “anticipation of play”. ‘
• Is naturally self-correcting during play.

DUPR 3.5 – 4.0 also group 4 at Hingham

Advanced players- you know when you are at this level!!

• Able to successfully compete at tournaments in the 4.0 + categories and maintain a DUPR of around 4.0 or above.

Hingham Sessions

Check Spond for invitations, exact times and current availability, or explore the session guide.