1.0
➔ New and have only minimal knowledge of the game and the rules.
1.5
➔ Limited to some rallies.
➔ Learning how to serve.
➔ Developing a forehand.
➔ Fails to return easy balls frequently and occasionally misses the ball entirely.
➔ Played few games and is learning the court lines, scoring and some basic rules of the game.
2.0
➔ Sustains a short rally with players of equal ability.
➔ Demonstrating the basic shot strokes – forehand, backhand, volley, overhead and the serve, but has obvious weaknesses in most strokes.
➔ Familiar with court positioning in doubles play.
2.5
➔ Makes longer lasting slow-paced rallies.
➔ Makes most easy volleys and uses some backhands, but needs more work on developing shot strokes.
➔ Beginning to approach the non-volley zone to hit volleys.
➔ Aware of the “soft game.”
➔ Knowledge of the rules has improved.
➔ Court coverage is weak but improving.
3.0
➔ More consistent on the serve and service return and when returning medium-paced balls.
➔ Demonstrates improved skills with all the basic shot strokes and shot placement but lacks control when trying for direction, depth, or power on their shots.
➔ Beginning to attempt lobs and dinks with little success and doesn’t fully understand when and why they should be used.
3.5
➔ Demonstrates improved stroke dependability with directional control on most medium-paced balls and some faster-paced balls.
➔ Demonstrates improved control when trying for direction, depth and power on their shots.
➔ Needs to develop variety with their shots.
➔ Exhibits some aggressive net play.
➔ Beginning to anticipate opponent’s shots.
➔ Learning about the importance of strategy and teamwork in doubles.
4.0
➔ Consistent and dependable strokes, including directional control and depth on both forehand and backhand shots.
➔ Reliable serves, lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys and can use spin shots with some success.
➔ Occasionally can force errors when serving.
➔ Rallies may be lost due to impatience.
➔ Uses the dink shot and drop shots to slow down or change the pace of the game.
➔ Demonstrates 3rd shot strategies – drop shots, lobs, and fast-paced ground strokes.
➔ Aggressive net play and teamwork in doubles is evident.
Fully understands the rules of the game and can play by them.
4.5
➔ Beginning to master the use of power and spin, can successfully execute all shots, can control the depth of their shots, and can handle pace.
➔ Beginning to master the dink shots and drop shots and their importance to the game.
➔ Beginning to master 3rd shot choices.
➔ Displays sound footwork and moves well enough to get to the non-volley zone whenever required.
➔ Understands strategy and can adjust style of play and game plan according to the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses and court position.
➔ Serves with power and accuracy and can also vary the speed and spin of the serve.
➔ Understands the importance of “keeping the ball in play” and the effect of making errors.
➔ Making good choices in shot selection.
➔ Anticipates the opponent’s shots resulting in good court positioning.
5.0
➔ Mastered all the skills – all shot types, touch, spin, serves, with control and can use them as weapons.
➔ Excellent shot anticipation, extremely accurate shot placement and regularly hit winning shots.
➔ Forces opponents into making errors by “keeping the ball in play.”
➔ Mastered the dink and drop shots.
➔ Mastered the 3rd shot choices and strategies.
➔ Uses soft shots, dinks and lobs to set up offensive situations.
➔ Mastered pickleball strategies and can vary strategies and styles of play in competitive or tournament matches.
➔ Dependable in stressful situations as in tournament match play.
➔ Athletic ability, quickness, agility, and raw athleticism are also qualities that are sometimes what separates the top players from those near the top.
