USAPA Rating System

(Revised - January 1, 2010)

Table of Contents

General Information on Ratings

  1. What is a Rating?
  2. What is a Rated Event? (changed Oct. 2008)
  3. USAPA ratings (changed Oct. 2008)
  4. How Do I Get a Rating?
  5. Rating Types (changes for 2010)
  6. USAPA Approved Rated Events (changes for 2010)

Rating Changes and Appeals

  1. Rating Changes
  2. Who May Appeal a Rating
  3. How to Appeal a Rating

Rating Guidelines and Descriptions

  1. Rating Guidelines
  2. Rating Descriptions

Tournament Rules

  1. Rules For USAPA Rated Tournaments

I. General Information on Ratings

What is a Rating?

Player ratings are used to group players by ability levels so that players can compete in tournaments or leagues with other players of similar ability. Keep in mind that this will never be a perfect system, but it should improve a player's chances of having a more competitive and fun match. The Tournament Points System is used to rank players based on success in tournaments.

What is a Rated Event?

A rated event is defined as any event that you enter based on your ability relative to other players. Examples of some rated events that we currently sanction are Men's 4.0 Doubles, Mixed 3.5 Doubles, and Senior 4.5 Men's Doubles.

USAPA Rating?

  1. USAPA ratings are not currently required to enter USAPA sanctioned tournaments.
  2. USAPA rated players are required to enter events that are rated no lower than their current rating, although they may enter higher rated events if they choose.
  3. Tournament directors have the final decision on what rating level unrated players will play.
  4. Rated players must be allowed to play at their rating level although they may always choose to play in a higher rating group.Exceptions may occur when rated events have to be combined because of lack of entries.

How Do I Get a Rating?

Some players have already been given tentative ratings based on previous tournament results, recommendations by tournament directors, and other player opinions that we have sought. More players will be given ratings as we get more tournament results and time permits. You may find out if you have already been assigned a rating by going to the Ratings section of the USAPA website.

If you don't have a USAPA rating, then you may rate yourself when you enter a rated tournament for the first time. Your initial self rating must be approved by the tournament director. Depending upon your tournament results, your self-rating could be changed if it appears to be obviously wrong.

All ratings will be stored in our database for review by the Ratings Committee, and self-rated players will be entered into the ratings database with an "S" to indicate self-rating.

Rating Types

S

Self Rating

A non-rated player may establish a rating in a rated tournament. However, this is always subject to the Tournament Director's Approval. If you are unrated, you may enter the rating division of your choice based on your ability relative to other players that you know.

A

Appealed Rating

Player has appealed his/her rating

T

Tournament Rating

Player has been rated based upon tournament performance. Rating may also be based upon the opinions of Tournament Directors or tournament players.

USAPA Approved Rated Events for Tournament Play

See the Tournament Points System document for the current list of approved rated events. Changes for 2010: 4.5+ has been deleted and 4.5 and 5.0 have been added.


II. Ratings Changes and Appeals

. Rating Changes

  1. Rating changes shall be based upon tournaments entered, medals received, players beaten within the tournaments and recommendations from tournament directors. Ratings are dynamic and may change within the year. Tournament points will remain for each player rating attained. Changes to a player's rating (either up or down) will only occur because of a player's rating appeal or because a player appears to have improved or has played poorly in the last tournament. .
  2. Players entering a rated tournament without a USAPA rating must receive the tournament director's approval to play in any rating category. Players that are found to be playing at a higher rating level than they indicated may be defaulted from the tournament event and moved to the appropriate rated event at the discretion of the Tournament Director.

Who May Appeal a Rating and When

Any player that has been rated may appeal their rating to the USAPA's Rating Committee. Players appealing their rating will be identified by a rating type of "A" on the USAPA's Ratings List.

Anyone may file an appeal at any time if a rating change is justified by a permanent or long-term injury or health change or recovery from such.

How to Appeal a Rating

To file an appeal, simply go to the USAPA website Ratings Page and click on the Ratings Committee link. You may now email the Ratings Committee your request for a change in rating. Provide your reasons as to why your rating should be changed up or down.


III. Rating Guidelines and Descriptions

Rating Guidelines

You may look at the currently proposed descriptions for the different rating groups at the end of this document to help determine your rating. You may also use the following statements in helping to select your self-rating.

Rating Descriptions

These descriptions were derived from current rating descriptions used in Florida's Winter Senior Pickleball Leagues. They have been modified in an attempt to better meet the differences in the various age groups that the USAPA represents.

Rating

Rating Descriptions

1.0

These players need to work most on developing their hand/eye coordination. They frequently miss the ball entirely, but can hit some of the slower balls with their forehand. They have a hard time playing games because they can't keep a rally going.

1.5

These players keep some short rallies going with their forehand, but still fail to return easy balls frequently and occasionally still miss the ball entirely. They have played a few games and know the basic rules of the game.

2.0

These players are learning to judge where the ball is going, but can sustain a short rally with players of equal ability. They have obvious weaknesses in most of their strokes.

2.5

These players are able to keep quite a few balls going with their forehands, make most easy volleys, and are beginning to make some backhands but need to work more on developing their strokes. They are thinking more about coming up to the non-volley zone to hit volleys and are making an effort to be more aggressive.

3.0

These players are fairly consistent when hitting medium-paced shots, but are not comfortable with all strokes and lack control when trying for direction, depth, or power on their shots. They are beginning to attempt lobs and dinks but don't fully understand when and why they should use them and don't have a lot of success with them.

3.5

These players have achieved improved stroke dependability with directional control on most medium speed balls and some harder hit balls. They still need to develop more depth and variety with their shots, but are exhibiting more aggressive net play, are anticipating their opponent's shots better, and are developing teamwork in doubles.

4.0

These players have dependable strokes, including directional control and depth on both forehand and backhand sides with most shots. They can use lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys with some success and occasionally force errors when serving. Rallies may be lost due to impatience. Teamwork in doubles is evident. They know the rules of the game and can play by them.

4.5

These players have developed their use of power and spin, can successfully execute all shots, can control the depth of their shots, and can handle pace. They have sound footwork and they move well enough to get to the non-volley zone whenever required. They understand strategy and can adjust their style of play according to their opponent's strengths and weaknesses and their position on the court.They can hit serves with power and accuracy and can also vary the speed and spin of the serve if desired.

5.0

These players have all the skills of the 4.5 players, but have either developed these same skills to a higher level or are simply quicker and/or stronger than the 4.5 group of players.


IV. Tournament Rules

Rules for USAPA Rated Tournaments

  1. Players entering a USAPA sanctioned ratings tournament should first go to the USAPA web site ratings page and check their rating.
    Players without a rating, should enter rated tournaments in what they think is the appropriate rating category, but will need the approval of the Tournament Director. The Tournament Director's decision is final for 'Unrated Players'.
  2. Players may enter an event rated higher than their USAPA rating, but may not enter a lower rated event.
  3. Doubles teams may not enter an event that is rated lower than the highest rated player on the team.
  4. Players playing in higher-rated events should expect their rating raised if they medal or beat higher rated players.
  5. Combining Events: If a tournament director has to combine two or more rated events, the resulting event should be named after the highest rated event that is being combined. For example, if 4.5 Men's Singles is combined with 4.0 Men's Singles, the resulting event must be called 4.5 Men's Singles. Any points won would be awarded in 4.5 Men's Singles.
  6. The USAPA recognizes that many smaller tournaments may have to improvise to have a good tournament that is fun for all the players, however when a player is in violation of one of these rules, he/she and their partner(s) will not receive tournament points in the events in which they are in violation.
  7. It is the player's responsibility to make sure they are entered in the events that correspond to their rating level or higher. Points will not be awarded if won in a lower rated event.