Pickleball levels, explained
Two ways to rate a player.
Self-rating, 1.0 to 5.0+
The scale most clubs and leagues use when you sign up. You compare your game with the skill descriptions and pick your own number, usually in half steps: 2.5, 3.0, 3.5 and so on. Most beginners are 2.0–2.5.
DUPR, 2.000 to 8.000
The Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating, calculated from recorded match results. Every match has an expected outcome based on everyone’s rating: play better than expected and your rating can rise. Players start as NR (not rated), and singles and doubles are rated separately.
The two scales use similar numbers but measure different things. A self-rating is your own estimate; a DUPR comes only from results.
What separates the levels.
Beginner, about 1.0–2.5
Learning the rules, the serve and the return, and how to keep score. Rallies are short, and the goal is to keep the ball in play.
Intermediate, about 3.0–3.5
Serves and returns land reliably, and you know where to stand. You’re starting to play the soft game at the kitchen line, with dinks, drops and longer rallies.
Advanced, about 4.0 and up
Pace and placement are under control. You can reset a hard-hit ball, pick the right ball to attack and build a point with your partner, with few unforced errors.
What level am I?
Pick the closest description
Choose the level that sounds like you on a normal day, not your best one. Most newer players land at 2.5–3.0, and regulars at 3.0–4.0.
Play a session there
Join a session at that level. If you win nearly every game, try the next level up; if you rarely win a rally, step down.
Ask the front desk
Still unsure? Tell us when you check in. We’ll point you to the right session and give you a feel for where you fit.
Where each level plays at ERA.
All ways to playNew to the game
Start with Beginner Open Play or a beginner clinic. Brand-new players are one of the three kinds of Private Lessons, too.
2.0–2.5
Beginner Open Play, the Beginner and Advanced Beginner leagues, and Round Robin 2.5. Organized Play starts at 2.5.
3.0–3.5
All-level Open Play, Organized Play, Round Robin 3.0, Team League 3.0 and 3.5, and the Champion’s Series 3.0 and 3.5 brackets.
4.0 and up
Organized Play at 4.0, the Champion’s Series 4.0 and 4.5 brackets, and tournaments, with brackets by skill level.
Teams
The MLP-format leagues: the MLP Draft League, MLP 16 and 14, and 3v3 Men’s and Coed leagues with DUPR 9, 11 and 13 brackets. Ask the front desk which bracket fits your team.
Kids
Kids Summer Camp runs Lil Dinkers (ages 5–9, no experience needed) and Junior Academy (10–14, all levels), with skill pods inside each. The after-school Kids Academy (ages 11+) groups kids by level.
Questions about levels.
Do I need a rating to play at ERA?
No. Tell us you’re a beginner when you check in and we’ll point you to the right session. Ratings come later, if you get into leagues.
What if I pick the wrong level?
It happens. For leagues, you self-rate when you register, and we adjust based on what we see in Open Play if needed. We’d rather you play in the right bracket than struggle in one that’s too high.
How do I get a DUPR rating?
Create a player account with DUPR. Everyone starts as NR (not rated), and a rating appears once your match results are recorded. How DUPR works
I’m coming from tennis. Where do I fit?
You’ll pick up the strokes fast, but the kitchen and the soft game take practice. Many tennis players plateau at 3.5 because they want to swing big. One beginner clinic on the soft game goes a long way.
I’ve been stuck at the same level for a while. What helps?
Playing three times a week and not improving? An instructor can usually see what’s holding you back. Private Lessons are built around your game, and clinics work on one skill at a time.
Play at your level.
Sessions run morning, afternoon and evening, grouped by level. Pick one, sign in and play.