Learn all about the USAPA 2 Digit and Self-Rating Systems, and rate your pickleball skills now!
How do I rate my pickleball skills? It is obvious to ask yourself this question when you play a game. Every game has a rating and scoring system of its own, as pickleball is a relatively newer one, and most of us don’t really know the rating mechanism of this game. But don’t worry! I have got your back! I am going to explain everything about it, what pickle ratings are, how you rate your pickleball rating and skill level, and what it really means when someone marks you as a 5.5+ player.
What are the Pickleball Ratings?
In all honesty, the response to the pickleball rating question depends on who is asking it. Those that play pickleball only for social and physical benefits are seeking a “beginning/intermediate / advanced” type of response. However, those who want to participate in competitions need a real, two-digit number that falls between 1.0 and 5.5+.
The goal of “official” pickleball ratings is to exclude “relativity” and “politics” from the discussion. Yes, politics are present, even in television ratings. On the other hand, official ratings are far more objective—though they still have their limits. Ratings for pickleball are represented by 2- or 4-digit numbers. Each skill level is evaluated based on how well a player can execute various shots, including the forehand, backhand, serve, dink, third shot, and volley, in addition to how well they comprehend strategy.
USAPA Ratings
A legacy rating is a 2-digit rating. Usually, the rating is applied to club and league play. In 2019, the 4-digit rating was implemented. It is used for tournament play and is based on the Elo ranking system. After each game, the rating is updated. The 2-digit breakdown, according to USA Pickleball, is as follows:
- 1.0-2.0 Rating
A pickleball player who is just getting started and has no prior experience in other sports. If you are just beginning to play pickleball and comprehend the rules, give yourself a pickleball self-rating of 1.0 to 2.0.
- 2.5 Rating
A player with little experience who can hold up a quick rally. If you have little experience playing pickleball, can maintain a brief rally on the pickleball court, and have a rudimentary knowledge of the pickleball regulations, give yourself a 2.5.
- 3.0 Rating
A skilled player who is aware of court positioning and the fundamentals. Give yourself a 3.0 on the pickleball self-rating scale if you can generally hit forehand drives, serves, and returns with medium pace, as well as dinks, but generally lack consistency and control (for example, serves and returns are inconsistent and lack depth); and you are aware of the fundamental pickleball strategy and rules, including the ability to keep score.
- 3.5 Rating
A player who understands the distinction between a challenging and easy game. They sprint across to the non-volley area. They know when stacking might be useful. Give yourself a pickleball self-rating of 3.5 if you can hit drives, serves, and returns quickly (including developing backhand shots), as well as dinks and drop shots, and are beginning to develop some consistency and control (including reliably hitting serves and returns in play); and you comprehend the fundamental pickleball strategy and rules, you are beginning to vary your shots between the hard and soft game, and you are moving quickly to the Non-Volley Zone line.
- 4.0 Rating
A player who can spot and exploit the weaknesses of their rivals. They can maneuver as a team since they are aware of their partners’ locations on the court. Give yourself a 4.0 on the pickleball self-rating scale if you can typically hit both forehand and backhand drives, serves, and returns with pace, as well as dinks, drop shots, and volleys (including block volleys), with consistency and control; you comprehend the strategy and rules of pickleball (including stacking), you have a moderate number of unforced errors, and you know how to exploit your opponent’s weaknesses on the pick
- 4.5 Rating
A player with tactical awareness and fluid movement. They can easily move and speak with their partner. Give yourself a 4.5 on the pickleball self-rating scale if you can typically hit forehand and backhand drives, serves, returns, dinks, drop shots, and volleys with pace, spin, depth, direction, consistency, and control; you understand the strategy and rules of pickleball (including stacking); you have a low rate of unforced errors, and you alter your game to take advantage of your opponent’s weaknesses on.
- 5.0 Rating
A pickleball player who has mastered the game’s tactics. They can readily adapt their game to the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents because of their adept footwork. They hardly ever make careless mistakes. Give yourself a 5.0 on the pickleball self-rating scale if you are proficient with both forehand and backhand drives, serves, and returns with pace, as well as dinks, drop shots, and volleys of various speeds, and are consistent and in control; you have mastered the strategy and rules of pickleball (including stacking), you rarely commit unforced errors, and you take advantage of your opponent’s weaknesses on the pickleball court.
- 5.5+ rating
A pickleball player with skill. They are an outstanding athlete. If you have mastered all strokes and strategies on the pickleball court and are winning consistently at the top level, which means you are winning against the finest professional pickleball players at the tournament level, give yourself a 5.5-6.0+ rating.
Pickleball Self Rating
If this is your first time playing in a pickleball competition, you will need a “benchmark” (beginning) rating. So that you can compete in the proper skill division in tournaments, you will be needed to self-rate. Review the “Player Skill Rating Definitions” provided by USA Pickleball, the sport’s official governing organization, before self-rating. The specific abilities required to reach each level of player rating are listed in this document.
After calculating your skill rating using the Player Skill Rating Definitions, validate your rating by consulting with seasoned USAPA tournament-rated players, local tournament coordinators, and/or pickleball ambassadors. If you combine the Player Skill Ratings Definitions with suggestions from others, you’ll probably get pretty near to the right pickleball rating.
Pickleball Skill Level at the Local YMCA & Community Center
In order to ensure that players of similar ability levels are playing together, YMCAs and local community centers—at least those that draw sizable crowds during their “open” pickleball times—generally rate and segregate play according to skill levels. These locations frequently assign pickleball ratings of “novice/beginner,” “intermediate,” and “advanced.” Since few, if any, would have participated in a pickleball competition before, these skill classifications are quite “unofficial” and relative.
Novice/Beginner
In my experience, players who are classified as novice or beginner players are individuals who have never played pickleball before or have probably just played a few times. They often rely on others to “assist” them get through the game at this phase because they don’t know how to keep score or where to stand on the court.
Intermediate
The largest group of players among the three skill rating buckets will most likely be intermediate gamers. The majority of experienced pickleball players won’t want to compete against novices. However, the advanced players tend to “intimidate” the intermediate players a little bit since they can hit the ball hard and “target” the weaker of the two players on the opposing team.
Advanced
The players that are considered “advanced” at the neighborhood YMCA or community center are typically those who smash the ball hard, have superior mobility, and commit fewer mistakes than the other players at that specific location.
At the YMCA or other community centers, these “ratings” (differences in ability level) are typically relative and arbitrary. In contrast to tournament participants or even those who play more “competitively” in their local pickleball club, a player who is considered “advanced” at the YMCA may not actually be that much better than other YMCA players. If graded objectively by the USAPA, the average “advanced” player at the YMCA or nearby community center would most likely be a 3.0 or 3.5 player. Even while these “advanced” players certainly conduct some drinking, it’s unlikely that they use “higher level” strategies like drop shots, reset volleys, or drop shots.
Players’ pickleball skill levels might vary greatly, especially at neighborhood courts, YMCAs, and community centers. Your ratings will, however, become much more objective as you participate in tournaments and become a valuable resource for determining the skill levels of others. However, there are accuracy limitations, just as there are with every system.
