Skill Level Criterion

Pagosa Pickleball Club uses skill levels to help members find appropriate play opportunities and create enjoyable, competitive games for everyone.

Our skill levels are self-assessed. PPC does not test, certify, or assign ratings to members. Instead, we ask each player to review the skill descriptions below and select the level that most accurately reflects their current play.

The descriptions are based on established pickleball skill guidelines and resources from USA Pickleball and other pickleball organizations and clubs.

Why We Use Skill Levels Instead of Numeric Ratings

PPC previously offered player evaluations and assigned numeric ratings. Providing formal evaluations, however, required significant volunteer time and resources, and the club no longer has the capacity to administer a rating program.

Rather than asking members to use a combination of club ratings, DUPR ratings, and self-ratings, PPC adopted a simpler system based on descriptive skill levels. This allows every member to evaluate their own game using the same general criteria, whether or not they have a formal rating or DUPR score.

How Do I Choose My Level?

Review the descriptions for each level and choose the one that best represents the skills you can perform consistently during actual game play. And it's perfectly normal for your abilities to fall between two levels. Choose the level that most accurately represents your overall game.

Why Does My Skill Level Matter?

Organized PPC Play

Your skill level helps PPC organize activities such as Round Robins, Skills & Drills, and other skill-based events. Some events are offered only to particular skill levels. Your member profile determines which invitations and announcements you receive, so it's important to keep your level current.

Recreational Play at the Courts

Skill levels can also help players find games that are enjoyable and appropriately competitive.

At our outdoor courts, we generally suggest:

North Courts: Casual and Experienced play

South Courts: Advanced and Competitive play

These are guidelines, not restrictions. Players are welcome to play on any available court.

What If My Skill Level Changes?

That's a good thing! As you improve, gain experience, or find that your current level no longer accurately describes your game, update your skill level in your PPC member profile.

We encourage members to periodically review the descriptions below and make sure their selected level still fits.

Skill Level Criterion

Casual Player:

Understands basic aspects of scorekeeping, rules, and proper court positioning during serves, receipt of serve, and general play.
Demonstrates physical abilities to move around the court in a balanced and safe manner.
Occasionally, but not consistently, places strong, deep serves.
Demonstrates basic stroke skills and can often keep the ball in play.

Experienced Player:

Consistently knows where to stand on the court during serve, receipt of serve, and general play.
Mastering scorekeeping and applies the basic rules.
Somewhat one dimensional as a player but working to expand playing repertoire.
Working to keep serves and return of serves deep, regularly serving past mid-court.
Developing more power and finesse in shots.
Approaches the non-volley line to hit volleys.
Working to improve form for forehand and backhand groundstrokes, though accuracy varies.
Attempts shots such as lobs, drops and dinks with varying success.
Can keep the ball in play for longer periods.

Advanced Player:

Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of game rules.
Shows extended periods of multi-dimensional play.
Actively communicates and coordinates with partner to cover the court.
Consistently serves and returns serves deep into the service court.
Works to intentionally place shots rather than hitting randomly.
Works to consistently mix soft and power shots to gain advantage.
Reacts to different ball speeds with mixed results.
Executes lobs, groundstrokes, overheads, net volleys, and sustained dinking with mixed results.
Hits fewer balls out of bounds or into the net.

Competitive Player:

Exhibits strong footwork, moving laterally, backward, and forward with ease.
Feels very comfortable playing at the non-volley zone, blocking hard volleys aimed at them.
Implements advanced strategies, especially in dinking.
Controls and places serves and return of serves to maximize advantage.
Frequently anticipates play developments.
Primarily adopts an offensive approach during play rather than reacting.
Consistently plays a multi-dimensional game, choosing varying shot selection over power to maintain competitive edge.
Communicates and moves fluidly with partner, easily switching court positions.
Working with partner to control the line, keeping opponents back and pushing them off the line.
Can poach successfully.
Self-corrects during play.
Displays consistent and reliable groundstrokes, volleys, and overheads, while committing a low number of unforced errors per game.

Pagosa Pickleball Club
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Pagosa Springs, Colorado 81147
Email: pagosapickleballclub@gmail.com