Introduction
I always thought that to compete in sanctioned pickleball tournaments, you needed an official USAPA or UTPR rating at the level you wanted to play. Turns out, that’s not entirely true. You can self-rate, but you are subject to the scrutiny of a tournament director. It the director thinks you are playing below your level, you could be DQ’d.
Current Top Pickleball Rating Systems: Methodologies, Pros, and Cons
IPTPA (International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association) The IPTPA rating system has been a reliable option for years, used by both players and instructors for consistent, objective ratings. IPTPA partners with organizations like ProPickleball, Gamma Sports, USPTA, and the US Open Pickleball Championships. Players can choose between individual and club memberships.
Pros:
- Objective and consistent, with ratings recognized both nationally and internationally.
- Decisions about ratings are made by certified specialists, not volunteers.
Cons:
- Primarily designed for players competing in sanctioned tournaments.
- The rating process is more complex and less accessible than other systems.
DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) DUPR is a rating system that has gained significant traction in the pickleball community in recent years. Ratings are calculated based on match outcomes, margin of victory, and the type of play (tournament, league, or recreational). DUPR has partnerships with organizations like PPA, MLP, and NYC Pickleball.
Pros:
- Objective ratings based solely on player results from leagues, tournaments, and DUPR-organized play.
- All players, regardless of age, gender, location, or skill, are rated on the same scale (2.00-8.00).
- Access to detailed win-loss records, ratings, match history, and analysis for both the individual and other players.
Cons:
- As a newer system, there have been some concerns about rating accuracy.
- The system can be manipulated by players.
WPR (World Pickleball Rankings) Launched in 2021 by PickleballTournaments.com, WPR ranks players based on their performance at major tournaments like the APP and PPA Tours, USA Pickleball Nationals, and the US Open Pickleball Championships.
Pros:
- WPR utilizes PickleballTournaments.com, a major database for tournaments, ensuring most events contribute to rankings.
- Significantly reduces sandbagging by eliminating self-rating for tournaments.
UTPR (Tournament Player Ratings) Created by USA Pickleball, the UTPR system was developed to prevent sandbagging in tournaments. UTPR is one of the most widely recognized rating systems in the U.S.
Pros:
- Easily accessible, with USA Pickleball endorsing numerous tournaments each year.
- More accurate than self-rating systems.
The IPTPA Rating System: An Overview
The International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association (IPTPA) introduced an internationally recognized, on-court education and rating system in January 2017. Since then, the program has undergone three revisions, with the latest being 100% objective and endorsed by top players worldwide.
When you obtain a certified rating through this system, you gain an internationally recognized measure of your skill level, particularly valuable for recreational play at clubs and in your first tournament. IPTPA professionals teach and evaluate daily, providing players with a clear understanding of their strengths, weaknesses, and the steps needed for improvement.
Why IPTPA Created an Internationally Recognized Rating System
IPTPA professionals noticed a trend of players overrating themselves, as well as underrating themselves (sandbagging), which led to problems during organized play and clinics. After reviewing the USAPA rating descriptions, IPTPA recognized a disconnect between the skill progressions they teach and the descriptions provided by other organizations. The IPTPA sets the standard for on-court instruction, using the most current, research-based methods to ensure accurate skill development at each level.
The Need for a Skill-Based Rating System
New players often ask about their skill level to enter clinics, social play, inter-league play, or tournaments confidently. Without an accurate skill-based rating, players might shy away from organized play or misjudge their ability, leading to frustration for everyone involved. The IPTPA Rating System addresses this issue by providing a standardized, objective way to rate players worldwide, aligned with the sport’s current progression.
How Can You Get a Rating?
There are several ways to obtain a rating:
- Make one up: This is what most people do, but it’s not the most reliable.
- Enter your scores into DUPR: You can include recreational play scores, but all players involved must agree on the entered scores.
- Play in sanctioned tournaments: This will help you obtain a USAPA rating.
- Play in any tournament associated with DUPR: Your scores will be automatically entered into DUPR.
- Participate in an IPTPA rating session.
Is There a Good Reason to Get a Rating?
Not necessarily. However, if you want an objective and internationally recognized rating, one that cannot be “gamed”, there are two ways to do it:
- Participate in sanctioned USAPA tournaments. If the director thinks that you have over-rated yourself, or that you are sandbagging, he or she can change your rating. My own rating is based on my records in USAPA sanctioned tournaments.
- Participate in an IPTPA rating session. Doing this will let you know precisely what your skills are, and what areas for improvement you have.