What Level Pickleball Player Am I?
Read below to see what level you are. Still have questions? Contact us.
Intro Level 1.0-2.0
This player is brand-new or just starting to play pickleball, has little to no experience, and may have no other sports background. Little to no understanding of rules of the game. May be able to sustain a short rally with players of equal ability.
Recommended classes: Pickleball Academy: Beginner
Beginning Level 2.0-2.5
Overview: This level of player performs strokes and strategies at the level with the proficiency described below. They may still be learning the basic rules, how to keep score and the correct positioning for the serving and returning team.
Recommended classes: Pickleball 101 or Pickleball Academy: Beginner
Forehand and Backhand Groundstroke and Serve/Return
Developing proper stroke form and consistency. Has little control over pace or direction. May miss the majority of these shots.
Volley
Developing proper stroke form and consistency, as well as backhand use. Has little control over pace or direction. May miss the majority of these shots.
Dink and Drop Shot
Not covered at this level.
Resets/Defense
Resets not covered at this level. Learning proper defensive body and court positioning.
Strategy
Learning proper positioning when serving and returning. Will start to move up to midcourt after the return/3rd shot. Learning scoring and basic rules.
Overheads, Lobs, Lob Retrieval
Learning proper overhead form. Lobs not covered at this level.
Recommended classes: Pickleball 101 or Pickleball Academy: Beginner. Still have questions? Contact us.
Intermediate Level 2.5-3.0
Overview: This level of player performs strokes and strategies at the level with the proficiency described below. They’ve mastered how to keep score (even if they still forget the score) as well as correct court positioning on the serve and return. This player is getting comfortable playing at the kitchen line and may occasionally vary between hard game and soft game. Rallies are typically sustained beyond the 4th shot.
Can you do everything below? If so you’re ready for Pickleball 201 or Pickleball Academy: Intermediate
Forehand Groundstroke and Serve/Return
Can hit consistently. Learning to control pace. May lack directional intent or control.
Backhand Groundstroke
Developing proper stroke form and consistency. Has little control over pace or direction. May miss the majority of these shots.
Serve/Return
Can hit serve consistently. Learning to vary serve depth and direction. Has proper form on returns. Learning how to adjust to different serves. Executes return at least 50% of the time. Learning to return deep.
Volley
Can volley the majority of chest-high, "easy" balls successfully using punching motion. Uses backhand and forehand appropriately. Majority of balls go straight or down. May lack directional intent or pace control.
Dink
Developing proper stroke form, consistency, and footwork. Has little control over placement, pace and height. Most dinks are high and/or deep.
Drop Shot
Developing proper stroke form and consistency. Has little control over placement, pace and height. Most drops are high/deep/in the net.
Resets/Defense
Resets at the kitchen not covered at this level. Learning to reset balls from midcourt. May occasionally dig out a ball defensively.
Strategy
Learning to move up to the kitchen line during rallies. May occasionally vary hard game and soft game. Rallies are typically sustained beyond the 4th shot. Learning triangle/X court positioning and protecting the returner.
Overheads, Lobs, Lob Retrieval
Understands proper overhead form; lacks consistency. Lobs not covered at this level.
Recommended classes: Pickleball 201 or Pickleball Academy: Intermediate. Still have questions? Contact us.
Advanced Level 3.0-3.5
Overview: This level of player performs strokes and strategies at the level with the proficiency described below. They can know how to hit all of the fundamental shots, and are starting to develop shot-selection (thinking about which shot to hit based on the ball they are given) and proper court positioning during rallies. They are ready to learn how to control the pace of the game with resets and speedups, mastery of the transitioning zone, and how to use spin appropriately.
Can you do everything below? If so you’re ready for Pickleball 301 or Pickleball Academy: Advanced
Forehand Groundstroke and Serve/Return
Hits consistently and can control pace. Learning to add topspin and directional intent.
Backhand Groundstroke
Understands correct form. May have some control over pace or direction. Lacks consistency. Executes at least 50% of the time.
Serve/Return
Can vary serve depth and direction. Learning to use serve strategically based on opponent. Missed serves are rare. Tries to return deep. Learning to control return direction.
Volley
Learning to hit topspin roll volleys at the kitchen. Learning to control direction and pace. Learning to reset hard shots.
Dink
Has proper stroke form and understands proper footwork. Still developing consistency. Learning to control placement, pace and height. Learning to dink cross court. Learning to control volley dinks.
Drop Shot
Understands proper form and footwork. Still developing consistency. Learning to control placement, pace and height. Starting to use drop shots during games.
Resets/Defense
Learning about the transition zone (reading drops, split steps). Learning to hit 5th+ shot drops. Learning to reset fast paced balls. Attempts to play on defense.
Strategy
Aware of partner's position on the court and recognizes improper positioning after rallies. Learning to identify and target opponents' weaknesses.
Overheads, Lobs, Lob Retrieval
Hits overheads consistently, often as put-aways. Learning lob retrieval and lob stroke.
Recommended classes: Pickleball 301 or Pickleball Academy: Advanced. Still have questions? Contact us.