What is my Rating?

That is a common question every Pickleball Player ask themselves because they need to know to be able to join the right group to play, or to start entering tournaments. This question is even harder for newer players.

Pickleball Rating Matrix

This table provides a concise way to explain what skills are needed for what level:

Pickleball Skill Rating Matrix
Skills		2	2.5	3	3.5	4
Rules	Rules	basic	basic	basic	basic	broad knowledge
	Scoring	can keep score	can keep score	can keep score	can keep score	can keep score

Strokes	serves and returns	40%	50%	70%	deep, 80%	varying speed and depth
	forehand	40%	with direction	medium pace, direction and consistency	moderate shot control (hit with intention)	depth and control
	backhand	40%	with direction	medium pace, direction and consistency	moderate shot control (hit with intention)	depth and control
	volley	40%	with direction	medium pace, direction and consistency	moderate shot control (hit with intention)	variety, block and return hard volleys
	dink rally	n/a	start	sustain	can vary height/depth	take attackable shots
	third shot drop	n/a	n/a	attempts when appropriate	yes	yes
	lobs	n/a	n/a	n/a	attempts when appropriate	accurate placement
	unforced errors	n/a	n/a	lots	medium	moderate number

Tactical / Strategic	court positioning	serve and return	all cases	all cases	work as a team	work as a team
	stacking	n/a	n/a	n/a	understand	utilize
	oppositing team	n/a	n/a	n/a	starts to analyze	analyze and formulate attack plan

Based on: https://usapickleball.org/tournaments/tournament-player-ratings/player-skill-rating-definitions/

Notes:

Forehand 40% means the player can execute a forehand stroke properly at least 4 out of 10 times
Court positioning means the player knows where s/he should stand during serve, return, during a rally, and move to the optimal position as needed
Medium pace means hitting a shot that travel with medium speed
Forehand with direction means the player can hit a forehand to an expected location: down the line, cross court
Shot control means the player can hit a shot to the desired direction and depth to gain an advantage during a rally

USA Pickleball Rating Guides

I find the Skill Assessment sheets on USA Pickleball website very useful for someone to self rate themselves — make sure you look at the PDF versions that are downloadable.

Direct links:

How to Use the Skill Assessment Sheet

To “qualify” for the rating on those sheets, you should score at least a 2 (good basic form, but needs work), and all the YES’es on the serve, return, volley requirements. When you are scoring all 3 (solid consistent performance) then you are ready to get into the next level.