Whether or not you plan to play a tournament, knowing your skill level will help you navigate friendly games, recreational matches, challenge courts, and league/club play. Playing in games with highly skilled players when you’re a beginner generally isn’t a good time, but finding a game where players are of like skill is rewarding, great exercise, competitively stimulating, and a whole lot of fun. If you know your skill level, you are more likely to feel comfortable and have a better time on court.If you’re still unsure about your rating, you can reach out to a pickleball coach in your local area and ask them to provide you with a rating.
New to the game
For new players, players learning the game
Level 1 & 2 Skill Levels
General Description
Novice
Novice players are either completely new to the game or find it difficult to grasp the basics, such as scoring and the rules. They often require frequent assistance from others to understand how to play correctly. Typically, novice players miss the ball entirely and have trouble sustaining rallies with other players. In addition, their mobility on the court tends to be limited, making it challenging for them to reach the ball during play. Novice players are generally categorised as having a skill level of 1.0 or 1.5.
Beginners
A beginner player knows the basics of scoring and understands the basic rules, for example, the two bounce rule. However, they may still require occasional guidance. These players are able to manage only short, slow rallies and tend to remain at the back of the court throughout the rally. Beginner level players are typically categorised as skill level 1.5 or 2.0.
Ready To Play
The Ready to Play category generally refers to players at the 2.5 skill level. These players are confident in scoring and know the rules of the game without needing help. They are comfortable sustaining longer, though still slow, rallies with others of a similar standard. Advanced Beginners, who fall into this category, are at the final stage of the beginner level. To progress further, players must start focusing on improving their technique, tactics, and consistency.
Skill Level - Skills Guide
1.0 Skill Level
New to the game
Don't know how to score or the rules
Can't sustain rallies
Often miss shots completely
Struggle With Movement
1.5 Skill Level
I struggle to rally and miss the ball often
I Need help scoring
I need someone to tell me where to stand
I miss a lot of serves
I have poor mobility
2.0 Skill Level
I Know about scoring but not 100% confident to call the score by myself
I can manage short rallies up to 4 shots
I'm learning how to serve and my serves are inconsistent
I don't feel comfortable at the net so stay back most of the time.
2.5 Skill Level
I can score and know where I should be standing
I can sustain long rallies of more than 4 shots
I know the rules such as the two bounce rule
My serves are reasonably consistent but I can't control depth or direction
I try to move to the kitchen when I can but I'm not confident at the net
I Know about dinks but only occasionally use them
At the Improver and Intermediate levels, players begin to refine their techniques and introduce tactical elements into their gameplay. Mastery at these stages involves being able to reliably hit and return a medium-paced ball. The journey from Improver to Intermediate reflects a noticeable progression in both skill and confidence on the court.
Improver
Players at the Improver level are familiar with playing matches and games, often within a social environment. They have a knowledge of shots such as dinking, drops, and drives. While these players are keen to incorporate these strokes into their game, they may still struggle with control, frequently popping the ball up and giving the opposition opportunities to attack. Consistency remains a challenge, but Improver players are actively working to enhance their abilities and bring greater reliability to their shots.
Intermediate
Intermediate players have progressed to confidently utilising the non-volley zone, feeling at ease with moving swiftly up the court. Their skills have improved across all shot types, particularly in executing controlled dinks. They are able to sustain dink rallies and consistently drop the ball into the kitchen, demonstrating a higher level of precision and composure during play.
Ready To Compete
Skill Level - Skills Guide
3.0 Skill Level
Player can hit and return a medium paced ball
Player tries to come to the kitchen but often gets caught at the back of the court through hesitation
Player can consistently serve with confidence
Players are trying to use dinks and drops regularly but make a lot of mistakes and are quite inconsistent and popping the ball up (hitting the ball high)
Players technique still needs work, backhand is still weak
3.5 Skill Level
Players are more aggressive moving to the non-volley zone
Player can hit and return a medium paced ball
Players show good control and reliability on shots
Player can consistently serve in with depth
3.5 players show team work with their partner
Players are using third shot drops and good
Players can sustain a dink rally
Players are starting to incorporate team work with partner
Players
4.0 Skill Level (Ready to compete)
Player shows good levels of control and placement on all shots against medium to quick balls.
Players show a good level of teamwork with their partner
Third shot drops, dinks and lobs are consistent