Self Rating
Pickleball self rating (level 1.0 through 5.0) is used to assess the overall performance of pickleball players.
1.0
The player does not know how to play pickleball (she needs to be initiated).
1.5
The player has just started playing (or learning to play). She has minimal understanding of the rules of the game.
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.
3.5
The player knows the main rules and is able to detect errors in scoring or serving. She demonstrates good mobility, good speed and good hand-eye coordination. She also begins to use team strategies.
Ground-Strokes (forehand and backhand)
She demonstrates good control on the forehand (direction, depth and height). She demonstrates some backhand control (direction, depth and height). She performs lobs with the forehand or backhand when appropriate. She experiments with drop shots and power shots depending on the situation. She is able to control balls at different speeds. She develops a variety of shots, uses them appropriately and keeps the ball low consistently. She develops his ability to hit balls over the head with some control and learns to place his balls well thus increasing his ability to create openings and exploit them. She avoids hitting balls that are heading out of bounds.
Net Play (volleys and overheads)
She can maintain a short volley rally at the net with some control. She is capable of starting and maintaining a short drop shot rally at the net. She is capable of making a baseline drop shot to approach the net (in the 3rd or 5th rally). She develops his patience during rallies at the net.
Serve
She succeeds in 80% of his serves. She regularly executes deep serves.
Return of Serve
She succeeds in 80% of his service returns. She regularly uses high and deep returns of serves to give himself time to get to the net. She approaches the net quickly when appropriate instead of staying back.
4.0
The player is able to move from a soft play strategy to a power play strategy and vice versa. She demonstrates good mobility, good speed and good hand-eye coordination. She moves efficiently with his partner, changes sides easily and communicates effectively. She is capable of fetching a ball aimed at his partner. She recognizes and exploits his opponents' weaknesses.
Ground-Strokes (forehand and backhand)
She demonstrates good control on the forehand and backhand for direction, depth, height, precision and power. She executes lobs with precision. She develops his ability to return smashes aimed at the feet. She is able to control fast balls without returning them too hard or out of bounds. She places the ball well to create openings and exploit them.
Net Play (volleys and overheads)
She demonstrates good control of volleys for direction, depth, height, precision and power. She regularly initiates and maintains sustained drop shot rallies at the net until an attack occurs. She is capable of blocking and returning powerful volleys. She can control the game at the non-volley zone (NVZ) line by keeping his opponents at the back of the field with powerful, fast and well-placed balls. She is patient during exchanges at the net.
Serve
She succeeds in 90% of his serves.
Return of Serve
She succeeds in 90% of his service returns.
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.