2.5 SKILL LEVEL

• New Player with limited experience

• Getting the hang of keeping score and where to stand at the beginning of each point

• Able to sustain a short rally with players of like skill level

• Typically get 60% of their serves in bounds but lacking depth and accuracy

• Is more comfortable with forehand and avoids backhand- lacks consistency and accuracy with ground strokes

• Is able to volley with moderate consistency

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3.0 SKILL LEVEL

• Able to answer yes to all of the 2.5 requirements

• 100% on the basic rules and knowing where to stand each point

• Able to hit forehands with medium pace and some direction. Avoids backhand and lacks control.

• Serves and returns are getting deeper and more consistent

• Approaches the non volley zone rather than stay back

• Aware of dinking and will dink occasionally but lacks control on height and placement of dinks

• Knows what a 3rd shot drop is but rarely attempts it.  More comfortable with a 3rd shot drive

• Able to hit a medium paced volley but still lacks in direction and consistency

• Starting to compete in tournaments at a 3.0 level

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3.5 SKILL LEVEL

• Able to answer yes to all of the 3.0 requirements 

• Has a deeper knowledge of  the rules beyond the basics (including net rules, net post issues, NVZ, etc)

• Able to hit forehands with moderate level of control and direction. Backhand is improving and becoming more consistent

• Serves and returns are deep and consistent

• Able to sustain medium length dink rallies and developing dinking consistency

• Beginning to implement the 3rd shot drop into their game but lack consistency and control 

• Able to hit volleys with control and direction 

• Developing accuracy in my shots and starting to utilize this in strategies

• Beginning to strategize and work together with their partner to build the point

• Developing a variety of shots in their arsenal both fast and slow shots

• Competed in tournaments and consistently won or placed in the top 3 teams in 3.0 Skill Brackets

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4.0 SKILL LEVEL

• Able to answer yes to all of the 3.5 requirements 

• Has a broad knowledge of the rules of the game

• Utilizing both forehand and backhand with control and consistency.

• Places high majority of serves and returns in with varying depth and speed.

• Able to sustain dink rallies with varying height and depth of shot

• Consistently executes 3rd shot drops and drives using them to create advantage but with inconsistent results

• Can identify opponents weaknesses and formulate strategy to attack weaknesses

• Developing the block to return fast, hard volleys

• Understands which balls are attackable and those that are not in a dink rally

• Able to change from power shots to soft shots and vice versa to create advantage

• Able to stack and know when and how to use it effectively

• Competed in tournaments and consistently won or placed in the top 3 teams in 3.5 Skill Brackets

 

4.5 SKILL LEVEL

• Able to answer yes to all of the 4.0 requirements 

• Has a high level of consistency with both forehand and backhand

• Serves and returns with power, accuracy and depth

• Able to dink with accuracy, variety, and consistency with offensive intent.

• Recognizes and attempts to hit attackable dinks.

• Consistently executes 3rd shot strategies, both drop and drive, that are not easily returned for advantage.

• Able to block/reset hard volleys consistently 

• Comfortable hitting swing volleys and overheads with accuracy and finish the point

• Is proficient in moving laterally, backward and forward with partner.

• Easily stacks court positions and understands the strategy of using it

• Understands strategy and can adjust style of play and game plan according to opponents strengths and weaknesses.

• Competed in tournaments and consistently won or placed in the top 3 teams in 4.0 Skill Brackets

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5.0 SKILL LEVEL

• Able to answer yes to all of the 4.5 requirements

• Hits all shot types at a high level of ability with both forehand and backhand with touch, spin and pace to set up offensive situations.

• Has developed touch from all court positions

• Has developed a very high level of variety, depth and pace of serves

• Mastered the dink and drop shots

• Able to move opponents with shot placements and exhibits patience during rallies while creating opportunities to attack

• Mastered 3rd shot choices and strategies to create opportunities for winning points.  Can drop and drive from forehand and backhand with high level of consistency.

• Able to block consistently, execute attacks and counter attacks consistently with swing volleys and speed ups.

• Mastered pickleball strategies and can vary strategies and styles of play in competitive or tournament matches.  

• Is successful in turning defensive shots into offensive shots.

• Easily and quickly adjusts style of play and game plan according to opponents strengths and weaknesses. 

• Rarely makes unforced errors

• Competed in tournaments and consistently won or placed in the top 3 teams in 4.5 Skill Brackets

• Ready to breakthrough to the Next Level?  Check out our Next Level Training Series