Skill Level, Ratings & Progression
BVPA provides leveled play and uses the BVPA Skills Matrix and BVPA Assessment Tools to determine levels of play.
BVPA Skills Matrix is attached HERE
BVPA Level of Play Assessment Tool is attached HERE
Why do skill levels and ratings matter?
We want you to have fun and learn and grow in pickleball. Self-rating yourself too high, beyond your capability level, will not make pickleball fun for you or other members.
Playing pickleball with players with similar skills will allow everyone to be competitive and improve their play and enjoyment. When players’ skills are mismatched, it is frustrating for all players.
In the beginning, BVPA grouped players on the basis of self-rating but now, with a rapidly growing membership, we have transitioned away from self-rating as the means for finding the right level for players. The commonly accepted progression is 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0 and beyond at the pro level.
Mentorship and Player Development Clinics will be central to enhancing the level of play at all levels of play.
We have implemented the following
Novice 2.0 – Players brand new to pickleball or those with basic skills will be given a Novice 2.0 designation. Novice 2.0 wishing to move to Novice 2.5 will be informally assessed by BVPA members who are knowledgeable about the skills expected at Novice 2.5 using the BVPA Level of Assessment Tool noted above.
Novice 2.5 – Players with stronger and more consistent basic skills.
Novice 2.0 and Novice 2.5 will be scheduled to play at the same time. Mentored sessions will be identified as such on the weekly court schedule - generally this is only offered during the outdoor season. All mentorship will be based on our Skills Matrix with common lesson plans used by all mentor volunteers.
Intermediate 3.0 - Our Intermediate 3.0 is no longer based on self rating. Players wishing to move from Novice 2.5 to Intermediate 3.0 must now successfully complete an Intermediate 3.0 Assessment during which candidates' mastery of required skills is assessed in a Skills Demonstration Section and during Game Play Observation.
Advanced - All players who have been playing regularly and consistently at an advanced skill level in BVPA Advanced sessions will retain their Advanced designation.
A Challenge process is required for Intermediate 3.0 players who wish to play at BVPA Advanced sessions. The challenge process will also be applied for new BVPA members who wish to play at the Advanced level unless they have a DUPR ranking of 3.5 or higher.
Moving Skill Levels
Assessment/Challenge days are scheduled throughout the year. Check your e-newsletter or the current schedule for specific dates and times. Previously, all assessments and challenges were free of charge to members. However, going forward, members are allotted one free assessment or challenge per membership year. Subsequent assessments or challenges are charged $10 per try.
Intermediate Assessment: This Assessment requires participants to demonstrate competency of seven shots: forehand, backhand deep serve, deep return of serve, controlled dinking, volley and the drop shot. This will be followed by game play during which assessors will evaluate the participants’ skill competency required for Intermediate 3.0 play.
Advanced Challenge: Players who wish to move from Intermediate 3.0 to Advanced must demonstrate their skills and game strategy in a Challenge Round Robin with 3 established Advanced players. The Challenging Candidate will play a full round robin of 3 games during which time they must achieve a cumulative total of 21 points in order to achieve an Advanced designation.
Also accepted for BVPA Advanced play are players who have previously achieved a 3.5 or higher rating through formal means such as a Tournament Rating from play at sanctioned tournaments, a recognized club rating from another pickleball club or a commensurate DUPR rating. Supporting documentation is required.
Assessment Team: Rosie Neil, Doug Thomson, Helen Thomson, Sue Cowitz, Mike Layton