Self Rating
Pickleball self rating (level 2.0 through 5.0) is used to assess the overall performance of pickleball players.
2.0
The player begins to play pickleball and has no experience. Her understanding of the rules is minimal, but she knows the two bounds rule and knows how to keep the score. She moves in a safe manner and can keep her balance. She is learning the basic teammate positions on the court on serves and returns. She can keep the ball in play for two to three rallies.
Ground-Strokes (forehand and backhand)
She uses her forehand mostly and seldom her backhand.
Net Play (volleys and overheads)
She uses the volley and the overhead stroke very little.
Serve
She succeeds 50% of her serves.
Return of Serve
She succeeds 50% of her serve returns.
2.5
The player has limited experience of the game. She can rally with players of her level. She knows the basic rules including the two bounces and knows how to count points. She is familiar with the regulations surrounding the non-volley zone (NVZ). She knows the basic teammate positions on the court on serves and returns. She can keep the ball in play for four to five rallies.
Ground-Strokes (forehand and backhand)
She begins to develop her forehand, but still uncomfortable with the backhand. She tries to control her forehand (direction, depth and height). She more often tries to use backhands.
Net Play (volleys and overheads)
She tries to make volleys and approaches the NVZ to do them. She tries to rally near the net.
Serve
She succeeds 60% of her serves.
Return of Serve
She succeeds 60% of her serve returns.
3.0
The player knows the basic rules including the two bounces and knows how to count points. She is familiar with the regulations surrounding the NVZ. She positions herself in the right place on the court and moves in harmony with her partner. She is developing good eye-hand coordination.
Ground-Strokes (forehand and backhand)
She is developing and improving her forehand control (direction, depth and height). She is developing and improving her backhand control (direction, depth and height). She begins to use lobes with some success. She tries to take drop shots from the back of the court to get closer to the net in 3rd and 5th rallies. She tries to adjust to balls coming in at different speeds.
Net Play (volleys and overheads)
She can maintain short volley at the net. She begins to develop her ability to maintain drop shot rallies at the net.
Serve
She succeeds 70% of her serves. She strives to do deep serves. She begins to develop serve positioning.
Return of Serve
She succeeds 70% of her serve returns. She uses high and deep serve returns to give herself time to get to the net. She is approaching the ZAC quickly instead of staying back.
4.5
The 4.5 player differs from a 4.0 player by his greater dexterity, superior level of strategy, speed of play, judicious use of power, better placement of his shots and fewer provoked errors.
5.0
The 5.0 player is even more consistent than a 4.5 player and makes very few unprovoked mistakes.