What is Pickleball?

Pickleball is an easy-to-learn sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. It's accessible for all ages and skill levels, making it one of the fastest-growing sports globally.

Illustration of a pickleball paddle and ball.

How to Play Pickleball

Pickleball is played on a badminton-sized court with a modified tennis net, paddles, and a perforated plastic ball. Matches can be singles or doubles.

Basic Rules

  • Serve diagonally, starting from the right-hand side.

  • The serve must clear the non-volley zone (also known as the kitchen).

  • Points are scored only by the serving team.

  • Games are usually played to 11 points, winning by two points.

  • The ball must bounce once on each side after the serve before volleys are allowed (double-bounce rule).

Understanding the Ratings

Pickleball skill levels are rated numerically from beginners (1.0) to professional (5.5+). This helps players find suitable opponents and gauge their progress.

    • 1.0 - 2.0: New players learning the rules.

    • 2.5: Limited experience, able to maintain short rallies and understand basic rules.

    • 3.0: Basic skills developed, inconsistent control.

    • 3.5: Improved control and consistency, understanding basic strategies.

    • 4.0: Good consistency, able to vary shots, understands advanced strategies like stacking.

    • 4.5: Strong control, strategic gameplay, minimal unforced errors.

    • 5.0: Excellent control, highly strategic, consistently winning rallies.

    • 5.5+: Mastery of all shots and strategies, competing at the highest levels.

DUPR logo in bold blue letters

DUPR Rating

DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) provides the most accurate global player rating system, ranging from 2.00 (beginners) to 8.00+ (pros).

DUPR ratings consider:

  1. Points won.

  2. Match outcomes.

  3. Match type (recreational, club, or tournament).

How to Get Your DUPR Rating

  1. Play at least one match against any rated player.

  2. Create an account on mydupr.com or download the DUPR app.

  3. Log your scores to get your dynamic rating instantly.