Guide to Levels / Level Checks

Play in our drop-in sessions using the color of your level.

This system is designed to create a safe space to learn & play Pickleball at your own pace. It also introduces our players to the official Pickleball skill standards, giving them a roadmap to develop if that’s what they would like!

If numbers are limited, you can play with the level above or below you, but please stick to your level where possible.

To help foster community, please mix up who you play with within your level to ensure everyone feels included.

If you have any questions about your skill level, please speak to our QPC Council members.

Level Checks

For those who feel are ready to move up to level 2.5 or 3.0, you will need to go through a level check with one of the QPC council members.

We have posted the level check sheets below so that you can see which skills you will need to demonstrate. These are checklist-based level checks based on the USA Pickleball standard assessment sheets.

2.5 level check sheet

3.0 level check sheet

3.5 level check sheet

2.0 Beginner (Green)

You may have recently started Pickleball, perhaps even today! Welcome!

  • You have paddle skills, but you are learning how to serve and the basic rules: How to keep score, the two bounce rule and the non-volley (kitchen) zone rules
  • Are learning where to stand on court during serves, returns and point play but are still not comfortable with some positions
  • You tend to hang at the baseline or in between the baseline and kitchen. You can have a rally with players of similar abilities
  • You have basic ground strokes with a very limited use of backhand, overhead, and volley
  • Capable of keeping ball in play for a couple of shots

2.5 (Orange)

You will need to have a level check to move up to this level

  • Knows the basic rules including the “two bounce rule”, scoring
  • Attempting to control forehand groundstroke (direction, depth, height over net)
  • Attempting backhand groundstroke
  • Getting 60% of serves in the service court and returning 60% of serve returns
  • Knows where to stand as the server, server’s partner, and receiver
  • Consistently Approaches the non-volley line for volleys
  • Can keep the ball in play for longer lasting rallies
  • Sometimes lobs with forehand
  • Attempting to “dink” the ball at the net, can do so for short durations
  • Moves in a safe and balanced manner
  • Developing good hand-eye coordination

3.0 (Pink)

You will need to have a level check to move up to this level

  • Developing control on forehand & backhand groundstroke (placement, direction, depth)
  • Getting 70% of serves and return of serves “in”
  • Beginning to develop serve placement
  • Beginner to uses deeper and higher returns of serve to allow time to approach the net
  • Approaches the non-volley line quickly rather than staying back
  • Sustains a short volley session at the net
  • Exhibits correct court positioning for doubles and how to “move as a team”
  • Beginning to use the forehand lob with some success
  • Developing a sustained “dink” exchange at the net
  • Attempting to hit a soft ”drop shot” to approach the net (3rd, 5th, etc shot)
  • Attempting to adjust to differing ball speeds (hitting & returning)
  • Has good mobility

3.5 (Blue)

  • Controls & places 85% of serves and return of serves
  • Shows control on forehand & backhand (direction, depth and pace)
  • Regularly placing serves deep into the court
  • Regularly uses deeper & higher returns of serve to allow time to approach net
  • Approaches the non-volley line quickly (when appropriate) rather than staying back
  • Able to play with partners effectively. Beginning to use court strategies such as partner communication and team coverage of court
  • Attempts to avoid hitting balls going out of bounds
  • Hitting the ball lower over the net consistently
  • Developing a wide variety of shots with some consistency
  • Learning when to use soft shots vs. power shots to their advantage
  • Developing consistency on shot placement, including ability to create and hit “gaps”
  • Sustains a short volley session at the net with some control and placement
  • Initiates and maintains a sustained “dink” exchange at the net
  • Able to execute a soft ”drop shot” to approach the net (3rd, 5th, etc shot)
  • Able to adjust to differing ball speeds consistently
  • Striking overheads with control
  • Using a forehand and backhand lob when appropriate
  • Developing patience in ralleys

4.0 (Red)

You will need to have a level check to move up to this level

  • Controls and places 90% of both serves and returns of serves
  • Consistent and reliable forehand, backhand & overhead shots
  • Consistently hits soft drop shot to approach the net
  • Regularly initiating and sustaining a “dink” exchange at the net until a “put away” shot is received
  • Good accuracy in placing forehand & back
  • Has good accuracy in placing forehand & backhand lobs
  • Can block and return overhead shots
  • Able to switch between soft shot strategy & power shot strategy
  • Regularly initiating and sustaining a “dink” exchange at the net until a “put away” shot is received
  • Can control speed on strokes without hitting too hard or hitting out
  • Moves effectively with partner, easily switching courts and communicating when required
  • Controls play at the NVZ Line, keeping opponents back & controlling speed and placement of ball
  • Recognizes and exploits the weaknesses in their opponent’s game
  • Can poach effectively