Updated 9/9/2026
Every PSPC member plays under one of six skill levels, from L1 (New to Pickleball) through to L6 (Elite). Levels are based on observed on-court skill — indicative DUPR ratings are a helpful reference point, but they are not the deciding factor.
When working out your level, base it on how you perform against players of a similar standard to yourself. A game against a much stronger or much weaker opponent won't give you an accurate picture of where you sit.
Level
|
Band
|
Indicative DUPR
|
Description
|
| L1 |
New to Pickleball |
|
New to pickleball; still learning the rules and how to score. Serve is inconsistent; rally is rarely sustained. Has restricted movement and minimal court positional awareness. Needs to develop confidence in contacting and striking the ball on both forehand and backhand. |
| L2 |
Developing |
|
Can keep short rallies going with players of similar ability. Continues to use exaggerated backswing. Serve becoming consistent; return developing but lacks depth and direction. Begins to use dinks and lobs but does not fully understand when or where. Starts to think about coming to the NVZ; still reluctant to commit to the net. |
| L3 |
Lower Intermediate |
2.5-2.99 |
Consistently serves and returns with purpose. Uses dinks on a regular basis as part of their game. Regularly attempts to move toward the NVZ when appropriate. Control suffers when trying for direction, depth or power on shots. Attempts to counter pace with soft hands. |
| L4 |
Competitive |
3.0-3.49 |
Displays patience when dinking; attempts resets and drop shots consistently. Executes a range of shots in appropriate situations and transitions to the kitchen regularly. Paddle position consistently adopted; unforced errors are limited. Starts to read and respond to opposition patterns. |
| L5 |
Advanced |
3.5-4.19 |
Minimal unforced errors; can sustain purposeful dinking rallies under pressure demonstrating subtle changes in pace. Footwork ensures correct body position for shot selection. Controls the height of the ball and regularly makes opponents play below the height of the net. Mixes a range of different shots and incorporates changes in pace, angles and dinks with purpose. Anticipates opposition shots early and counters effectively; strong teamwork in doubles is evident. |
| L6 |
Elite |
4.2+ |
Consistently controls point construction and targets opposition weaknesses to advantage. Counter-attacks appropriately and consistently; pop-ups rare even under pressure. Mastered strategies and varies game-plan according to opponent strengths and court position. |
How your rating is set
To get started, you'll self-rate — the next time you log in to OpenSports, you'll be taken to your Personal Details page, where you'll select your level from the list above and save your response before joining any session. Coaches and committee members review results afterward and may adjust ratings that look significantly out of step with on-court play — see "What happens next" below.
Existing members
Read through the level descriptions above and choose the one that best matches your current game. If you're unsure, ask a coach or committee member at your next session — we're happy to help.
New to pickleball
Select L1 — New to Pickleball when you join. A coach or committee member will review and update your rating as you play with us.
Visiting players
Self-select the level that best matches your skill based on the descriptions above, assessed against players of a similar level. If you have a DUPR rating, use it as a guide alongside the descriptions. If you're unsure, select the lower of the two levels you're considering and a coach or committee member will adjust from there.
What happens next
Coaches and committee members periodically review self-ratings and will follow up directly with anyone whose grade looks significantly out of step with their on-court level. Grading is about getting everyone into better-matched games, not about labels.
