1
Beginner
Level 1 · Rating 1–13
I'm new to pickleball: I still don't know where to go after the serve, and the kitchen is the line my partner keeps reminding me about.
I already do
- ServeI serve underhand and the ball lands in the right box most of the time.
- RallyI return a slow ball that comes to my half of the court.
- KitchenI know the ball has to bounce before I hit it from inside the kitchen.
Not yet mastered
- RallyGetting past two exchanges without an error.
- KitchenWaiting behind the line: I take a step in and step on it as I volley.
- ServeRemembering who serves from which side when the score changes.
2
Upper Beginner
Level 2 · Rating 14–20
I can rally and move up to the kitchen with my partner; we still leave a hole in the middle, but we get there.
I already do
- RallyFour or five exchanges at an easy pace without hitting out.
- KitchenA crosscourt dink when all four of us are at the line.
- ServeI return the serve deep and start moving up right away.
Not yet mastered
- KitchenThe short third shot: I try the drop and it pops up for them to attack.
- RallyThe ball down the middle: I look at my partner and nobody hits it.
- ServeDirection on the serve: I only aim for the center.
3
Lower Intermediate
Level 3 · Rating 21–34
The team has started to work: we know the match is played at the kitchen and we move up together when the drop comes off well.
I already do
- KitchenA third-shot drop that lands in the kitchen half the time; a slow dink without lifting it.
- RallyI move up side by side with my partner and cover my side of the line.
- ServeDeep serve and deep return to give my partner time to get up.
Not yet mastered
- KitchenA long dink exchange: I rush it and give them a high ball.
- RallyAgreeing on who takes the middle: the ball between us still drops.
- ServeA return that keeps the other pair from moving up before we do.
4
Intermediate
Level 4 · Rating 35–48
I play every week and the team has structure: we move up together, dink with patience and cover each other when the lob goes up.
I already do
- KitchenConsistent dink and drop at a moderate pace; volleys at the line without stepping on it.
- RallyI move with my partner, side by side, and cover the middle when they leave it.
- ServeDeep serve and return with direction to push the other pair back.
- DecisionI decide whether to attack the high ball or reset it based on where the opponents are.
Not yet mastered
- DecisionPatience in a long dink exchange against a solid pair: I speed up too early.
- KitchenResetting an attacked ball: I get it back, but high.
In tournaments I play 3.0 tournaments and win matches in them.
5
Upper Intermediate
Level 5 · Rating 49–62
I have a doubles repertoire: a spin drop, a dink to the weak side, stacking when we plan it, and communication comes naturally. Against a faster pair, I still miss when it's time to finish.
I already do
- KitchenA spin dink and a reset of an attacked ball back into the kitchen.
- DecisionI pick the target: the weaker opponent, and the middle ball when both hesitate.
- ServeA spin serve and a deep return that keeps both of them back.
- RallyStacking (a planned switch of sides) to keep the forehand in the middle.
Not yet mastered
- DecisionSticking to the plan when the other pair dictates the pace.
- KitchenClosing out the point at the line without forcing it out.
In tournaments I play 3.5 tournaments and I'm competitive in them; now and then I reach the final rounds.
6
Advanced
Level 6 · Rating 63–76
The kitchen is ours: I make few errors, I set the pace of the dink exchange and my team moves as one.
I already do
- KitchenA speed-up on a high ball and a counter in the same exchange.
- RallyLob coverage in rotation with my partner without losing the line.
- DecisionI see where the point will be won before it starts and steer the team there.
- ServeServe and return that put the other pair on the defensive right away.
Not yet mastered
- DecisionReorganizing the team mid-game when the other pair starts lobbing nonstop.
In tournaments I play 4.0 tournaments regularly and can win them; at 4.5 I win matches but don't yet go all the way.
7
Upper Advanced
Level 7 · Rating 77–88
I play at high intensity against any pair and I'm strong in the points that decide. Even with a new partner, the match works.
I already do
- DecisionI read the opposing pair in the first games and change the plan with my partner.
- KitchenA long dink exchange with patience; I speed up only the right ball.
- RallyI defend a heavy attack with a reset and turn the point into a counter.
- ServeI vary spin, height and direction on the serve to produce a short ball.
Not yet mastered
- DecisionKeeping the team organized when a 5.0 pair speeds everything up.
In tournaments I play 4.5 finals and have started entering 5.0 tournaments.
8
Specialist
Level 8 · Rating 89–97
In amateur play, my team is one everyone knows: I have no weak shot and we play to a plan, not on improvisation.
I already do
- RallyPrecision in every shot for a whole match.
- DecisionI anticipate the other pair's play and change strategy on the spot.
- KitchenA reset of any attack and a finish on the first ball that sits up.
- ServeServe and return as weapons: I win points before reaching the kitchen.
Not yet mastered
- DecisionThe team chemistry that only pairs who train together every day have.
In tournaments I play 5.0 tournaments and compete in the strongest amateur nationals.
9
Professional
Level 9 · Rating 98–99
Pickleball is my job, or it's becoming one: I train as an athlete, with a regular partner and a planned season.
I already do
- RallyA training routine with my partner: a locked-in system and an athlete's fitness.
- DecisionI read a tour-level pair and adjust the plan with my partner within a point or two.
Not yet mastered
- DecisionThe gap to the best pairs on the tour is measured in titles, not fundamentals.
In tournaments 5.5+ tournaments and the professional tour (PPA, APP, MLP or the national equivalent).
