Introduction to Club Grading/Ratings
Please read the ABPA Grading Policy in conjunction with the information on this page.
Why grade members?
Club grading ensures that participants are allowed to play with players of a similar standard. This offers members a better chance to have a competitive and fun match. Determination of this grade can be controversial as players often believe that they are at a higher level than their skills dictate.
Our Club has appointed a Grading Committee consisting of 3 members to assign a club grade to all our members. This list is available on our website. An appeal process is available should a member not agree with the grade assigned to them. This process is documented in our ABPA Member Grading Policy document.
The Grading Committee is using the below skill level guidelines to form a view of the grade achieved by members to date. Members may complete the self-assessment form anytime for review by the Grading Committee.
ABPA Skill Level Guidelines
When you have ticked the skills which you believe you have mastered, please enter your name and click the SUBMIT button. Your answers will be reviewed by the Grading Committee.
Please note: If a person cannot move quickly enough due to physical restrictions, then a rating will be reduced according to the physical limitations as related to playing the game.
Read this blog post first if you are unsure of some of the pickleball terminology.
Helpful links:
What is a dink? (4-5 minute video)
What is a 3rd shot drop? (4-5 minute video)
When to use a 3rd shot drive instead of a 3rd shot drop? (4-5 minute video)
How do you refigure (keep track of) the score? (PDF)
4.5, 5.0 and 6.0+ Skill Levels
The 4.5 player is distinguished from the 4.0 player by increased skills, a higher level of strategy, quickness of hands, judicious use of power, superior placement of shots and consistently fewer unforced errors. The 5.0 player is even more consistent in all skills than the 4.5 player with very few, if any, unforced errors. The 5.5 to 6.0+ player consistently wins against the best professional pickleball players at the tournament level.
Note: 5.0 players are still quite rare in Australia!
