Skill Level Guidelines (DUPR)

If you do not have a DUPR rating yet, here are your options:

1. Experienced Players
If you have play experience and can sustain aggressive shots and consistent rallies.

• You may join 2.5–3.0 Open Play games.

• You may join 2.5–3.0 DUPR Rated Play games to establish your initial DUPR rating.

2. Newer or Less Advanced Players

• All non-DUPR rated players may join Advanced Beginner or Social Play games.

• Players are expected to review and understand the basic rules of pickleball before attending.

• Newer and less advanced players may also join Under 2.75 DUPR Rated Play games to receive a rating.

These games are for all players and are just for fun.

Players in this range:

• Are familiar with scoring and the two-bounce rule.

• Know where to stand when serving and receiving.

• Can successfully serve and return more than 50% of the time.

• Are learning basic court positioning, and may not be comfortable always coming up to the non-volley zone.

• Are learning how to move effectively at the net, but occasionally foot fault.

• Can keep a rally going, but are still figuring out where and why to hit certain shots.

• Struggle with blocking drives and speed-ups.

Players in this range:

• Are familiar with scoring and the two-bounce rule.

• Know where to stand when serving and receiving.

• Can successfully serve and return more than 75% of the time.

• Serve with some intention (depth/spin), though execution varies.

• Are learning basic court positioning, and are getting comfortable getting up to the Non Volley Zone.

• Are learning how to move effectively at the net.

• Are learning to dink when all four players are at the net.

• Can keep a rally going, but are still figuring out where and why to hit certain shots.

• Can volley and handle moderate pace, but struggle in fast exchanges.

• Working on resets but tend to send balls too high when rushed.

Players without a DUPR rating must be pre-approved to play in 3.0-3.5 games.

Players in this range:

• Can successfully serve and return more than 90% of the time, but still working on depth and placement.

• Understand strategy for approaching the net after serving, and can execute 3rd, 5th, and 7th shots with some consistency.

• Move and communicate effectively to cover the court, especially in the transition zone and at the net.

• Can hit drives, drops, and dinks with intention 75% of the time, choosing shots based on the situation.

• Can maintain dink rallies, but are still developing control and strategy.

• Are comfortable taking balls out of the air when possible, rather than waiting for the bounce.

• Handle speed-ups and counter attacks with improving timing, though exchanges can still break down.

• Understand when to slow the game down vs. when to attack 70% of the time.

• Can recognize balls that are going out of bounds, but may still hit them.

• Begin to apply patterns (third-shot drop → move → dink → attack) with decent consistency.

• Are familiar with stacking as a strategy, and may have some experience.

Players without a DUPR rating must be pre-approved to play in 3.5-4.0 games.

Players in this range:

• Can successfully serve and return with depth, spin, and placement consistently.

• Understand strategy for approaching the net after serving, and can execute 3rd, 5th, and 7th shots with good consistency.

• Move and communicate effectively to cover the court, especially in the transition zone and at the net.

• Are comfortable taking balls out of the air when possible, rather than waiting for the bounce.

• Can maintain dink rallies, and are beginning to target specific locations on their dinks to create opportunities.

• Can recognize and anticipate balls that are going out of bounds.

• Execute 3rd-shot drops with reliable height and depth, even under moderate pressure.

• Can reset consistently from both the transition zone and off-balance positions.

• Handle fast hands battles at the NVZ with timing and control.

• Can attack and counterattack balls that are at or slightly below net height.

• Know when to slow points down and when to speed them up based on positioning.

• Are familiar with stacking as a strategy.

To play in 4.0+ games you must have a DUPR rating above 4.0