To keep play both fun and competitive, all IPA sessions will be grouped by Player Groups that include players of similar Skill Levels. The Player Groups to be used this season are as follows:
All members should review the following Skill Level Rating definitions to help determine their current skill level. These ratings are based on USA Pickleball Skill Rating Descriptions.
Skill Level Rating 2.0 (Can play in Beginner and Open-Low skill groups)
- This player is just starting to play pickleball and has a minimal understanding of the rules of the game.
Skill Level Rating 2.5 (Can play in Beginner and Open-Low skill groups)
- This player has limited experience, can sustain a short rally with players of equal ability, and has a basic ability to keep score.
Skill Level Rating 3.0 (Can play in Beginner, Intermediate, and Open-Low skill groups)
- 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 but lacks depth, direction, and consistency.
- Dink: Not able to consistently sustain a dink rally; working on shot control.
- 3rd Shot: Generally hits a medium-paced ball with little direction.
- Volley: Able to hit a medium-paced shot; lacks direction and consistency.
- Strategy: Understands fundamentals, is learning proper court positioning, knows the rules, can keep score, and is beginning tournament play.
Skill Level Rating 3.25 (Can play in Beginner, Intermediate, and Open-Low skill groups)
- This player has mastered the skills required for Level 3.0 and is at least halfway toward mastering the additional skills required for Level 3.5. Performance is more consistent, but advanced control, patience, and strategic execution are still developing.
Skill Level Rating 3.5 (Can Play in Intermediate, Advanced Intermediate, Open-Low and Open-High skill groups)
- Forehand: Improved stroke development with moderate shot control.
- Backhand: Learning proper stroke form and developing consistency; may still avoid when possible.
- Serve / Return: Consistently gets serve/return in play with limited depth control.
- Dink: Increased consistency with limited height/depth control; sustains medium-length rallies and is learning pace variation.
- 3rd Shot: Developing the drop shot to advance to the net.
- Volley: Able to volley medium-paced shots with improving control.
- Strategy: Moves toward the non-volley zone when appropriate, recognizes soft vs. hard game concepts, has basic stacking knowledge, and is improving court positioning.
Skill Level Rating 3.75 (Can Play in Advanced Intermediate, Advanced, and Open-High skill groups)
- This player has mastered the skills required for Level 3.5 and is at least halfway toward mastering the additional skills required for Level 4.0. Shot selection, consistency, and teamwork are improving, with fewer unforced errors and better recognition of strategic opportunities.
Skill Level Rating 4.0 (Can play in Advanced and Open-High skill groups)
- Forehand: Consistently hits with depth and control; still refining timing and shot selection.
- Backhand: Improved mechanics with moderate success and growing consistency.
- Serve / Return: Places the majority of serves/returns with varying depth and speed.
- Dink: Increased consistency with moderate control of height and depth; beginning to recognize attackable balls.
- 3rd Shot: Mixes soft and power shots selectively to create advantage, with inconsistent results.
- Volley: Able to volley a variety of shots at different speeds; developing consistency and reset/block volleys.
- Strategy: Moves well with partner, changes direction offensively, understands stacking, identifies opponent weaknesses, and demonstrates solid rules knowledge.