PRESCOTT LAKES PICKLEBALL CLUB RATINGS CRITERIA
Presented July 1, 2017

You are a 4.0 PLAYER if you:

• Have consistent dependable strokes including directional control and depth on both forehand and backhand shots
• Are generally able to control and accurately place both serves and return of serves    
• Have reliable lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys and can use spin shots with some success
• Are striving to change from a soft shot strategy to a hard shot strategy or vice versa during rallies
• Consistently use third shot strategies including drop shots, lobs and fast-paced ground strokes to slow down or change the pace of the game
• Possess the ability to use a variety of shots to full advantage
• Play the net aggressively and your teamwork in doubles is evident
• Are developing excellent footwork to move well forward, backward and laterally
• Communicate and move well with your partner
• Can sustain a reliable dink game and generally make put away shots
• Are able to poach effectively
• Recognize and exploit opponents’ weaknesses
• Play in an offensive mode rather than defensively or reactively
• Hit a low number of unforced errors

You are a 3.5 Player if you:

• Demonstrate a good knowledge on the rules of the game
• Are able to keep most serves and returns in and deep in the court
• Can control the direction, depth, and pace on most of your shots
• Can hit all basic shots (i.e. forehands, backhands, lobs, overheads, and volleys) with a varying degree of consistency
• Are learning the importance of strategy, tactics and teamwork in doubles play
• Communicate well with your doubles partner
• Are beginning to use third shot drop shots from ¾ court and the baseline
• Have developed a consistent dink game
• Are learning when to use soft shots and power shots to full advantage
• Moving up to non-volley zone and demonstrating aggressive play at the net
• Are learning to anticipate the direction of opponent’ shots
• Are demonstrating the ability to play in an offensive rather defensive mode
• Are able to maintain a moderate number of unforced errors

You are a 3.0 PLAYER if you:

• Know the fundamental rules and can keep score accurately
• Are developing the skills to keep serves and returns in and deep in the court
• Are developing dinking skills and able to sustain the dinking game
• Are demonstrating improved skills with all of the basic shot strokes and placement but still lack consistent control when trying for direction, depth and/or power
• Can use both the forehand and backhand on returns and ground strokes
• Are moving to the non-volley zone after the return of serve
• Are aware of your partner’s position on the court and the importance of communication
• Are developing skills in the areas of overheads, volleys and hitting the ball harder and lower
• Are showing improvement in reducing the number of unforced errors.

You are a 2.5 PLAYER if you:

• Are still in the learning stage but improving on knowing the rules of Pickleball
• Can generally keep score accurately
• Are demonstrating improving skills in serves and service returns
• Are working to improve the accuracy of your ground strokes
• Can make most easy volleys and some backhands but need additional work on developing all shot strokes
• Are aware of the “soft game” and working to improve dinking skills
• Are learning to approach the non-volley zone and attempt volley shots
• Are learning the importance of court coverage and communicating with their partner
• Are striving to extend rallies by keeping the ball in play and avoiding unforced errors

You are a 2.0 PLAYER if you:

• Have successfully completed the beginner instruction course offered by the club or demonstrated equivalent knowledge/physical ability to move to this level
• Are still learning the rules of Pickleball
• Are able to sustain a short rally with players of equal ability
• Your serves and returns are improving but still a work in progress
• Are demonstrating use of the basic shot strokes (forehand, backhand, volley and serve) but have training needs in these areas
• Are familiar with the basic court positioning in doubles play
• Are demonstrating  the ability to move safely around the court