Skills needed for these ratings
For a description of the IFP Ratings Click Here
2.0
- Everyone starts here
This player is just starting to play pickleball and has no other sports background. Minimal understanding of rules of the game.
2.5
This player has limited experience. Can sustain a short rally with players of equal ability. Basic ability to keep score.
3.0
FOREHAND:
Ability to hit a medium paced shot. Lacks directional intent and consistency.
BACKHAND:
Avoids using a backhand. Lacks directional intent and consistency.
SERVE / RETURN:
Able to hit a medium paced shot. Lacks depth, direction, and consistency.
DINK:
Not able to consistently sustain a dink rally. Not yet developed the ability to control this shot.
3RD SHOT:
Generally hits a medium paced ball with little direction.
VOLLEY:
Able to hit a medium paced shot. Lacks direction/inconsistent.
STRATEGY:
Understands fundamentals. Is learning proper court positioning. Knows the fundamental rules and can keep score and is now playing tournaments.
3.5
FOREHAND:
Improved stroke development with moderate level of shot control.
BACKHAND:
Learning stroke form and starting to develop consistency but will avoid if possible.
SERVE / RETURN:
Consistently gets serve/return in play with limited ability to control depth.
DINK:
Increased consistency, with limited ability to control height/depth. Sustains medium length rallies. Starting to understand variations of pace.
3RD SHOT:
Developing the drop shot in a way to get to the net.
VOLLEY:
Is able to volley medium paced shots thereby developing control.
STRATEGY:
Moves quickly towards the non-volley zone (NVZ) when opportunity is there. Acknowledges difference between hard game and soft game and is starting to vary own game during recreation and tournament play. Can sustain short rallies. Is learning proper court positioning. Basic knowledge of stacking and understands situations where it can be effective.
4.0
FOREHAND:
Consistently hits with depth and control. Is still perfecting shot selection and timing.
BACKHAND:
Has improved stroke mechanics and has moderate success at hitting a backhand consistently.
SERVE / RETURN:
Places a high majority of serves/returns with varying depth and speed.
DINK:
Increased consistency with moderate ability to control height/depth. May end dink rally too soon due to lack of patience. Is beginning to understand difference between attackable balls and those that are not.
3RD SHOT:
Selectively mixing up soft shots with power shots to create an advantage with inconsistent results.
VOLLEY:
Able to volley a variety of shots at different speeds. Is developing consistency and control. Starting to understand the block/re-set volley.
STRATEGY:
Aware of partner’s position on the court and is able to move as a team. Demonstrates ability to change direction in an offensive manner. Demonstrates a broad knowledge of the rules of the game. Has a moderate number of unforced errors per game. Solid understanding of stacking and when and how it could be used in match play. Beginning to identify opponents weaknesses and attempts to formulate game plan to attack weaknesses. Beginning to seek out more competitive play.
Higher levels of consistency in all the above strokes
GOPB 3.5 RATING PROCESS
The usual sequence for the evaluation is: knowledge test & evaluation of your performance in a game setting. An alternate sequence may be adopted if it makes more sense at the time.
Knowledge Test - This test is a fifty question, open book, multiple choice quiz on the rules of the game. Go online at the USAPA website (www.usapickleball.org). You must log on to the website to get your results sent back to you. The Player Quiz can be accessed under the “Rules & References” tab. Upon completing the quiz, you will be emailed a copy of your test results if you have logged in. You must achieve 85%or higher. A copy of this email can be emailed to Mary Williams before your evaluation. https://www.usapa.org/rules-quiz/player-test/
Shot Skill Evaluation - This evaluation will be done during game play. These shots are:
- forehand and backhand dink shots from the NVZ line, straight across the net as well as crosscourt shots
- forehand and backhand soft drop shot from the NVZ line
- forehand and backhand drop shots from the baseline (criteria – shots landing in the NVZ and in a variety of spots)
- forehand and backhand ground strokes (criteria – pace, placement, depth and control of spin)
- forehand and backhand volley from midcourt (criteria – pace, placement and depth)
- overhead shots (criteria – pace and variety of placement)
- lob shot (criteria – height, depth and placement) Note: this shot must go over a volunteer standing near the NVZ line with his paddle raised above his head.
- serves from odd and even courts (criteria – target cones will be set up 3 feet from the baseline – depth; and 3 feet inside the sideline and the centerline of the service area – placement, height and pace)
- return of serves from odd and even courts (criteria –depth [within 3 feet of baseline], placement [within 3 feet of sideline or centerline] and pace)
Evaluation of Performance in a Game - Here’s your opportunity to demonstrate your skills in a game setting. Normally you will participate in several games and normally with other players undergoing a rating evaluation. Areas of play that will be evaluated are:
Mobility – how well you move about the court as you cover your part of the court and set yourself for anticipated shots
Team coordination and movement – movement in concert with your partner and communication with your partner
Quickness – reaction to quick shots at the net
Eye-hand coordination
Shot variety – demonstrate as many different shots as possible; score is based on skillful execution of the full spectrum of shots, not on winning the game.
Court awareness – shot anticipation, proper consideration for the NVZ, awareness of court boundaries
Dink exchange at the net
Ratings Committee
Will Williams (Chairman) 595-6898
Don Stanek 694-5176
Vicky Noakes 206-3909
Mike Rangel 478-2079
Michelle Simpson 738-7050
Mary Williams 202-5373
Rocky Arrington 420-4791
