Pickleball Self Ratings

Pickleball players may give themselves a rating, which is appropriately called a self-rating. Ratings are two-digit numbers (i.e., 3.0, 3.5 etc.) used to describe the individual level of play. Any player, whether they are USA Pickleball members, play tournaments or not, can assign themselves a rating.

Pickleball Rating System

• 1.0-2.0: This rating is for individuals just starting out. You have a very basic understanding of the rules and are learning how to play the game.
• 2.5: Use this rating if you have limited experience playing pickleball, can keep a short rally going on the court and can properly keep score.
• 3.0: Building on the previous ratings, you can hit forehand drives, serves, dinks and returns with a medium pace but generally lack control and consistency. This would also include a basic understanding of strategy during a game.
• 3.5: Can serve, execute dinks, drives and returns with consistency and control. Beginning to develop backhand shots and drop shots. Ability to vary shots between hard and soft as well as moving quickly to the non-volley zone.
• 4.0: If you are consistently hitting both forehand and backhand drives, serves and returns with pace, as well as dinks, drop shots and volleys, use this rating. You can handle different speeds with control and understand strategy (including stacking), can play with minimal unforced errors and can attack your opponent's weaknesses on the court.
• 4.5: Give yourself a 4.5 rating if you can hit both forehand and backhand drives, serves, returns, dinks, drop shots, and volleys with pace, spin depth, direction consistency and control. You completely understand the rules and strategy of pickleball and can play with limited errors. You can change your gameplay to attack your opponent's weaknesses.